Leadership by example, not leadership by extravagance
A leader leads by example, not by force. — Sun Tzu
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. — Lao Tzu
Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it is the only thing. — Albert Schweitzer
Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself. — Thomas J. Watson
Why were the corporate big bosses of America’s biggest yet financially troubled car manufacturers — General Motors, Chrysler and Ford — publicly scolded and censured in November 2008 for flying via private jets from Detroit to Washington D.C. for a meeting with congressional leaders to seek financial aid? Did they violate any laws by using their own private jets financed by private funds, instead of taking any of the 24 daily commercial flights then between Detroit and Washington?
What the bosses of America’s top carmakers committed was the sheer bad taste of extravagance and a colossal failure in leadership by example at a time of US economic recession, when companies are cutting down expenses, lessening the number of employees, and people are suffering.
The Washington Post recently wrote that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her entourage dined on lobster, steak and fine wines for US$15,000 at a Washington, D.C. steakhouse on July 31, while the New York Post reported that the GMA entourage spent $20,000 on a dinner with caviar and champagne in New York’s Le Cirque restaurant on Aug. 2.
The issues here are not just who really spent for those costly meals and whether state funds were used or not; there’s also the important question of extravagance when millions in our Philippine society are poor and hungry. What about the question of leadership by example?
To the defenders and propagandists of President Arroyo, instead of wrongly blaming the media or lamely deflecting the angry uproar with other unrelated side issues, the best way to deal with undeniable public anger is for government officials to issue a sincere and unequivocal public apology for the bad taste of perceived extravagance during a “working visit” and at a time of global economic uncertainty. Why not sincerely apologize and start earnest reforms in the way government leaders should act?
One of the most important responsibilities of a leader — whether in business, in government, in a family or any organization — is to exemplify “leadership by example.” A leader is not a person who bosses others around, but more importantly, a leader should be a teacher to others by word and more so by deeds.
What better way to boost the morale of people, to inspire trust and awe, to fire up enthusiasm and encourage loyalty than leadership by example? Look at the life and times of outstanding Greek leader Alexander the Great, how he fearlessly fought alongside his frontline troops when he could have stayed far away and just strategized the battles.
In these challenging times when businesses large or small are often cost-cutting or even lessening the workforce, it is ideal for corporate big bosses to also manifest frugality, personal discipline, integrity and a simple lifestyle.
Even in prosperous times, it is also ideal for bosses and officers to set examples in terms of trailblazing a strong work ethic and high standards of professionalism, team spirit, honesty, loyalty, resourcefulness, creativity, high productivity and never-ending cost efficiency.
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In September 2008 on CNN, Fareed Zakaria interviewed China’s humble, well-loved and incorruptible Premier Wen Jiabao. One of the questions was about Wen’s having read the works of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius 100 times. Marcus Aurelius was a famous Stoic philosopher.
Zakaria added: “My reading of him says that one should not be involved in the self and in any kind of pursuits that are self-interested, but should be more for the community as a whole. When I go to China these days, I’m struck by how much individualism there is, how much consumerism there is. Are you trying to send a signal to the Chinese people to think less about themselves and more about the community?”
Premier Wen replied: “It is true. I did read the Meditations written by Marcus Aurelius Antonio on many occasions. And I was very deeply impressed by the words that he wrote in the book to the effect that, where are those people who were great for a time? They are all gone, living only a story, or some even just half a story. So, I draw the conclusion that only people are in the position to create history and to write history.”
Wen continued: “I very much value morality. And I do believe that entrepreneurs, economists and statesmen alike should pay much more attention to morality and ethics. In my mind, the highest standard to measure the ethics and morality is justice.”
He added: “It is true, in the course of China’s economic development, some companies have actually pursued their profits at the expense of morality. And we will never allow such things to happen. We will not allow economic growth at the expense of the loss of morality, because such an approach simply cannot be sustained. That’s why we advocate corporate, occupational and social ethics.”
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Jesus Christ washed the feet of His 12 apostles before the Jewish Passover feast as the ultimate example of extraordinary humility, which was recounted in the Bible in John 13: 1 to 15.
If the greatest leader in human history could humble Himself in genuine public service, in leadership by example and with the highest moral ethics, we should emulate Him whether we are entrepreneurial bosses or corporate managers in a business or company, a leader in our family or community, officials of organizations, a team leader, a celebrity in showbiz or sports, whether you are president of the Philippines or a candidate for that position in 2010.
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Thanks to the Writers Guild of De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila, for inviting me to speak on Aug. 14. Thanks for your letters. Comments and suggestions are welcome at willsoonflourish@gmail.com or at my Facebook account.
