Weeding by Example
“The three most important ways to lead people are… by example, by example, by example.” ~ Albert Schweitzer
Dr. Robert Khayat was the 15th Chancellor of Ole Miss. He was a strong leader who had a tremendous passion for excellence and caring for others. It was in Spring, 2000 when I walked the campus with him for the first time. I had heard the stories, so it came as no surprise to me that he was picking up litter along our walking route. I learned a great deal from him. He got people to buy in to campus projects in two powerful ways.
One he asked people questions. Not the interrogation type of questions, but curious questions. How to do things questions, such as: How would you change this? How were you able to get buy- in from your people? His curiosity as a leader made you want to lean in and think through the process and make it better.
Second, he was willing to get his hands dirty on the job. He picked up trash every day on his early morning walks through campus. He motivated others by his actions, inspired them with his passion and he was always friendly to everyone he would meet along the way. Like most leaders, he had people asking him questions all the time, wanting favors, making suggestions, and giving their opinion on how things should be run. I’m sure he got tired of it, but he never let the questions, favors, suggestions or opinions get in the way of his friendly and courteous. One day I saw him, not just picking up litter, but pulling up a big, tall weed on campus as he took his morning stroll. I stopped for a moment and asked him what he was doing? He smiled at me and said, “I am weeding by example.”
Keep setting the example you want others to follow.
Jeff
