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 Question
What 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 Frameworks
- Table 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 Reflections
- Erik 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 Practice
- Write 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.”
