I attended a small Ohio high school. Our graduating class had seventy-two students.
Despite our small size, our school had an excellent cross-country team. From 1985 to 1992, our school won eight consecutive Ohio Class A cross-country championships.
I didn’t run, but I knew one of the coach’s favorite sayings was, “Do as I say. Not as I do.”
Last week, we explored Rebecca Knight’s article in the Harvard Business Review describing six primary leadership styles.
No matter which style fits you most naturally and which ones you use occasionally, one of the quickest ways to undermine your leadership is to have a “Do as I say. Not as I do” philosophy.
While that leadership style might have worked for a high school coach way past his running prime, it DOES NOT work in the modern leadership landscape, especially with younger people who crave authentic leadership.
- You can’t demand that your team tighten their budgets while you waste the company’s money.
- You can’t require everyone to put their information in a database while you keep everything on your phone.
- You can’t expect people to be on time when you are consistently late.
- You can’t think people will work hard when they have no idea what you are doing with your time and how it is contributing to the success of your endeavor.
- (You can’t believe your kids will put their dishes in the sink if you leave dishes all around the house.)
Last week, I told the story of one of my bosses who said,”I’m driving the bus. If you don’t like it, get off.”
It was harsh, and I don’t know if it was necessary.
But I do know that that leader was committed to the organization. He worked hard and gave his all to the organization’s mission.
His day-to-day actions and commitment allowed some leeway in moments of crisis.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited with writing, “Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you’re saying.”
My research says that, like most of Mark Twain’s sayings, it’s a misquote.
Ralph actually wrote, “Don’t say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.”
I like that one better. Your actions are THUNDER.
So, no matter your leadership style, make sure they THUNDER well.
