I think we’ve all heard this expression. Generally used to back peddle from a sticky situation with your children. My question is: Does it really work?
You can’t avoid learning from what you see. Extreme example- The most amazing accomplishments that occur in life happens in the first two years . In this very short period of time you learn the structure of life, “the lay of the land”, purely through observation. You learn to laugh, cry, sleep, walk, touch, talk, right, wrong, hot, cold, more, less, fun, good, bad, etc. This is primarily learned through minimal use of language. Much of the learning is subtle and accomplished without realizing that you are learning.
As I have watched my children grow I can see some of my characteristics in them. These include work ethic, education, and excellence. These are things learned through observation. They watched me work on the house in the yard and at work. I made them participate in my work. They learned what it meant to work hard. They watched me go to night school to complete my degree. They watched the way I would reject poor quality work. These were taught not by lecture or instruction- they observed how it was important to me and it became important to them.
How do we teach the next generation of leaders? Model the behavior that you seek. Walk the walk and forget the talk.
Yes- this is a tall order. We all slip sometimes. We have things we struggle with. Things that you really don’t want them to learn. Just remember- they are watching you. You don’t get a break on this one. Go ahead and do the lectures and the instruction, but don’t forget the most powerful teaching tool.
Simply model the person that you want them to be.
What are some practical ways to model to lead? What happens when you mess up? Press comments and tell me what you think!
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Leading by Serving 