Practice What You Preach

When confronted with an English idiom- such as ‘practice what you preach’ – one is encountering a phrase that has a good chance of having been coined by either one of the Bible writers or William Shakespeare.

In the case of ‘practice what you preach’ it is not from Shakespeare. Whether it originated with a Bible writer is not quite clear cut, but the phrase certainly does appear in the Bible and never appears in Shakespeare.

‘Practice what you preach’ is usually spoken as a retort to someone who is being hypocritical, who is telling people how they should behave while not themselves behaving in that way.

"Practice what you preach" underscores the importance of leading by example and embodying the values or behaviors one advocates for others. Here's a leadership lesson derived from this concept:

1. Lead by Example: As a leader, your actions speak louder than words. Before advocating certain behaviors or values to your team, ensure that you are already practicing them yourself. Consistency between your words and actions builds trust and credibility among your team members.
2. Integrity and Authenticity: People are more likely to follow leaders who demonstrate integrity and authenticity. By practicing what you preach, you show that you genuinely believe in the values you promote and are committed to upholding them in your own conduct.
3. Inspire Others: When team members see their leader actively living out the principles they espouse, it motivates them to do the same. Your behavior serves as a model for others to emulate, fostering a culture where everyone strives to align their actions with the organization's values.
4. Effective Communication: Leading by example enhances your ability to communicate effectively. Your actions provide tangible examples that illustrate the desired behaviors or outcomes, making your messages more compelling and easier for others to understand and follow.
5. Accountability: Holding yourself accountable to the same standards you expect from others reinforces the importance of accountability throughout the organization. When everyone, including the leader, is accountable for their actions, it creates a culture of responsibility and ownership.
6. Continuous Improvement: Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement, both for yourself and your team. Recognize that practicing what you preach is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection, learning, and adaptation. Be open to feedback and commit to evolving and refining your leadership approach over time.

By embodying the values and behaviors you advocate for others, you create a more cohesive and high-performing team, united by a shared commitment to excellence and integrity.