046: Stop Hiding Behind The 'I Lead By Example' Phrase

This episode is meant to challenge you. Erik takes on the lazy, surface-level claim of “I lead by example” and unpacks why it’s an insufficient leadership philosophy. He shares his own hard-learned lessons, what went wrong when he tried to evolve past it without clear communication, and why every leader needs a sharper articulation of their philosophy.❓ The Big QuestionWhat does it really take to move beyond “leading by example” and step fully into the responsibility of leadership?💡 Key Takeaways“Leading by example” is table stakes — not the whole game.If your people only see your hours or outcomes, they’ll miss the process and discipline that created them.Leaders who only model their own way risk creating clones instead of unlocking unique strengths.A real leadership philosophy requires clarity: knowing your people, aligning goals, setting expectations, and holding them accountable.Articulating your philosophy out loud makes it easier to live it.🧠 Concepts, Curves, and FrameworksTable Stakes vs. True Leadership — Why leading by example is necessary but insufficient.Alignment Model — Helping people connect their personal goals with organizational needs.Accountability Loop — Expectations, support, feedback, and trust.🔁 Real-Life ReflectionsErik shares the story of when he pulled back from meetings to develop his team — and how poor communication caused trust to suffer.By naming and clarifying his philosophy, he now has a mirror to measure himself against, instead of hiding behind the “example” excuse.🧰 Put This Into PracticeWrite down your leadership philosophy in one clear statement.Share it with your team, peers, or boss.Use it as a daily check-in: Am I living this philosophy today?🗣️ Favorite Quotes“Stop saying you lead by example. It’s laziness. It’s virtue signaling disguised as depth.”“Excellent leaders don’t want clones of themselves — they want to unlock the potential of their people.”“Your job as a leader is to align, develop, and hold accountable — not just to work hard in front of others.”