No matter what you’re leadership role might look like, leading by example is a powerful tool in your toolbox. It saves you from falling into traps of arrogance and hypocrisy, while also earning higher levels of credibility with those you are called to lead. 

Even better, it’s a biblical way to lead, which is a great reason men of God should learn how to lead by example. 

What Leadership Looks Like

You might not consider yourself a leader, but it’s important to remember that leadership comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes. So, leading by example can have an impact on whatever your particular niche might entail.

For example, if you’re a husband and father, you’re the leader of your home, and you need to understand the best ways to lead by example in that context. You also might be a leader in your church, like a Sunday school teacher or an elder. Again, leading by example is an important part of having an effective ministry. At work, you might lead a team or a division. If so, you understand how vital knowing how to lead by example can be.

A lot of guys are just natural leaders. They don’t hold titles or positions, but they draw people to themselves. They are respected and exert a great deal of influence because people trust them. And most men who hold that kind of sway are men who know how to lead by example.

Four Keys to Leading by Example

Regardless of what your leadership looks like, you can never go wrong when you lead by example. But that kind of leadership usually doesn’t happen by accident. You just don’t wander into leading by example.

On the contrary, leading by example requires intentional thought and effort. You have to think about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Like so many other things in life, embracing the best ways to lead by example means making an investment—in yourself and in the lives of those you lead.

Here are four basic elements to leading by example. If you’re not sure where to start, these principles can provide a foundation for your new leadership project. They will help you become a better leader because they will help you set an example worth following.

Look at the examples you’re following

In the movie The Forge, a young man being raised in a single-parent home meets up with an established Christian businessman. Over the course of the movie, the businessman’s positive example leads to a spiritual and relational transition in the young man’s life. That’s the power of a solid mentor, and it’s lived out in so many situations every day by men who lead by example.

We all have mentors we want to emulate. We have men we respect and who serve as a pattern for our leadership style. Without much effort, you probably can list a few guys who have influenced your life. That’s a natural part of learning to lead. Just make sure you’re following men who lead by example the right way. Those are men worth following.

Refuse to pick and choose

The apostle Paul served as a mentor and spiritual father to a young pastor named Timothy. In his two letters to Timothy, Paul gave his protégé a lot of great advice on a lot of subjects. One of the best related to leading by example.

Paul told Timothy that his character should stand out in every context. Rather than letting certain areas slide, the apostle challenged his young friend to live as an example in every scenario (1 Timothy 4:12). As guys, it’s easy to accept a “do as I say, not do as I do” mentality. But people see through that kind of hypocrisy. Even worse, it robs you of the influence necessary for inspiring others.

Come clean when you mess up

You’re going to make mistakes. But that’s not the standard by which most people will judge when you’re leading by example. For them, the key is what you do when you fall short. People can forgive a lot of mistakes and transgressions. What they have trouble swallowing is a stubborn refusal to call it out and make it right.

Don’t get me wrong: Coming clean is  never comfortable. It’s absolutely hard, but it absolutely has the power to enhance your standing with others. Nothing gets you off the bench and into the game faster than calling out your mistakes and admitting you were wrong. King David learned that when he sinned with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51) and when he foolishly conducted a census of his military might (1 Chronicles 21). In each case, he found that confession was one of the best ways to lead by example.

Stick with it

We’ve said that learning how to lead by example is not always a smooth path. But it will get you where you want to be as a leader. So, when you’re tempted to quit (and you will be tempted to quit at times), don’t do it!

You can take a step back and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. You can examine methodologies and consider how changing strategies will improve outcomes. But, no matter how much the heat in the kitchen rises, never give up. Instead, lean into God’s help. Spend time in His Word and in prayer. He will give you what you need to endure and to walk with strength and purpose.

Following Christ’s Example

I mentioned the apostle Paul earlier and noted that he was a great leader. But that’s only true because he was a great follower. He made no bones about why people should follow his example. It had nothing to do with his own wisdom or personality. Instead, he encouraged people to follow him because he followed Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:16-17).

Jesus is the ultimate Leader and He set the ultimate leadership example for us. He came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). Plus, He was the Good Shepherd who was willing to die for His sheep (John 10:11). We learn how to lead by example by imitating how Jesus led by example. 

If you’re genuinely following Him, you’re going to be great at leading by example yourself.