We’ve all heard the phrase ‘lead by example’. I’ve always thought of the phrase as being a noble call to be your best self even when no one’s watching.  But if you think of a leader, either one whom you know personally or one who you know as a public figure, they don’t *just* lead by example. They let us know what they’re doing. But they also let us know *why* they’re doing it.

There’s limited inspiration that comes from hearing a person’s daily schedule. Here’s a version of my morning: “I woke up at 5am, got dressed and packed for work, and left my house at 5:30am to drive into the city.”

Are you inspired? Probably not. Do you want to be like me? Probably not.

Let’s try a different version: “I woke up at 5am because rush hour traffic starts early and I wanted to spend my time before work writing a blog post instead of sitting in traffic. Writing helps me work out my thoughts and brings a sense of peace and wholeness to my soul. Feeling peaceful and whole helps me be the best version of myself. When I’m writing regularly, I also find it easier to focus on the other responsibilities and tasks in my life.”

What was different about that version?

In the second version, I shared the ‘why’ behind my actions. And instead of focusing solely on logistical reasons, like rush hour traffic, I included reasons that speak to my values. You might also seek peace and wholeness. But your methods for obtaining it will be unique to you.

We don’t follow people by emulating their every move. Sure, the details of successful people’s lives can be juicy and interesting, and there’s a part of us that craves those details. But you won’t become a follower of someone until you adopt the values that have inspired their actions.

Similarly, you won’t inspire people to follow you unless you share your values with them. Lead by example, sure. But be sure to share the thoughts and reasoning behind your example. Share with us the values that are important to you.