My personal pet peeve is when managers don’t understand they have an obligation to role model that which they seek in the organization. I have worked with far too many managers who just didn’t get it that they ought to be the role model of excellence. The few that do get it are rock stars who everyone wants to work for. They’re amazing people who make significant contributions to their companies. I believe this to be true for HR and training professionals too – we need to show people how excellence looks, acts, and sounds. How can we expect to influence and inspire others unless we are amazing role models?
In my mind, this is the opporunity, the challenge, and the requirement.
Beloved leaders get this at the core of their being.

Many of them don't realize that they are a role model whether they want to be or not. The only real question is: "What kind?"
I've been guided for decades by a line from one of my best Marine CO's, Jim Ayers: "There is no leadership unless there is leadership by example."
Posted by: Wally Bock | March 12, 2007 at 09:19 AM