The quiet power of a good example
The other day, I witnessed something so small and simple that it barely registered at the time, but on reflection, it offered a timely reminder of the power of leading by example.
As I walked along a public walkway, I noticed a young lad holding a bicycle, waiting for the elevator. He was blocking most of the path and didn’t appear to register the people waiting to pass. An elderly woman approached from the other direction. In a moment of instinct, I stopped and waved her through. She passed by gratefully, and just as she did, something subtle but important happened. The young man looked up from his own world, shifted his bike out of the way and let the people behind him through, without anyone asking him to.
It was a small gesture, but one with a magnifying effect.
I’m not sharing this to pat myself on the back, there are certainly times I’ve been in a rush and not acted so considerately. But in that brief interaction, I was reminded of the ripple effect a good example can have. The young man visibly felt more connected, perhaps even pleased to have done something considerate.
Search online for “the value of a good example” and you’ll find plenty of definitions and inspiring quotes, Albert Schweitzer’s: “A good example has twice the value of good advice” among them. These reflections often focus on parenting or mentoring children. But what about good examples in the workplace? Are they becoming a rare breed?
Just this week, I heard several stories from colleagues about bad examples being set in professional environments, from the subtly self-serving to the outright hypocritical. We’ve all experienced the demoralising effect of poor leadership or unethical behaviour. And yet, those moments of genuine integrity and leadership-by-example are just as impactful, if not more so.
I’ll never forget one of my first managers. He was deeply committed to doing what was right for both the customer and his team. He took time to explain decisions, listened actively, admitted when he was wrong, and gave us space to experiment, grow and take ownership. As a result, trust flourished. We felt empowered, supported, and challenged. Our performance improved, and so did the customer outcomes. That was leadership through example, and the environment it created was both productive and deeply motivating.
We sometimes underestimate how much people notice. Your team notices. Your customers notice. Your peers notice. A good example, however small, can set the tone for a meeting, a team, or even an entire department or even organisation’s culture.
In business, especially at leadership level, it’s not just about the decisions we make. It’s how we make them. That’s why encouraging and modelling good examples isn’t a “nice to have”, it’s a leadership essential with the power to transform.
So, here’s to the quiet power of positive actions. To the managers who take time to listen. To the colleagues who support rather than compete. And to the executives who understand that setting a good example isn’t just about ethics, it’s also a pathway to performance, engagement and growth.
