There are lots of examples of bad leadership around us in today's world. As volunteer leaders in Toastmasters it's important that we lead by example - by setting a good example that ties into our core values of Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence.
Why is it so important to lead by example? That comes down to a few things, including demonstrating our core values. It also ties into trust - being who you say you are, and to your goal to build strong leaders in your district. By actively showing your values and commitment, you inspire others to do likewise and create a culture of willingness, teamwork and trust in your district.
How do you lead by example with Integrity? It's popularly said that "Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching." While this is true, integrity is so much more. To start, it's not just your actions but also your thoughts and intentions. Your actions are what people see, and these matter. When members and other leaders see you admitting a mistake, fixing a wrong, or making a difficult choice because it's the right thing, they see a leader who's accountable, trustworthy, and deserving of their respect. They may not directly see your thoughts and intentions, but these are easily seen in the way you handle difficult situations, being questioned or presented with dissenting information, or losing your preference in a vote. Handling these potentially challenging situations with honesty, caring and diplomacy makes all the difference.
How do you lead by example with Respect? Defining respect is the first part of this effort. It's difficult to hold deep admiration or esteem for someone we don't know, so the most fitting definition of this term would then be to show " due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others". That sounds pretty simple, right? It's good to understand that doing that doesn't just mean lip service, or a token "I understand that you feel or like something, but ...". It means genuinely listening to understand when others express their feelings and wishes, or when they explain something that matters to them. It means asking questions to get to the root of what someone is saying so you understand what matters most, and then working together to seek a way to honour that importance.
How do you lead by example with Service? Part of this is something you're already doing by serving your district as a leader. The dictionary defines service as "the act of helping or doing work for someone" and that's exactly what you'll want to be doing this year in your district. Did you notice that "helping" preceded "work" in this definition? By viewing your service as help, you change the focus of your efforts from what you're doing (or want to do) to what's needed by the members, clubs and leaders in your district. With this perspective, you've changed the way you approach district leadership. You're now looking at where the challenges are, and how you and your team can offer support and resources!
How do you lead by example with Excellence? Excellence is defined as "the quality of being outstanding or extremely good". This is partly represented by your district's achievements, but that's not all. Excellence is also a part of your leadership, and that of your team. When you and your team are consciously putting your best efforts into seeing what would most benefit your district, and its clubs and members, that's an important part of excellence. Looking at ideas to best serve the district mission in building new clubs and supporting clubs in achieving excellence such as encouraging members to seek new club opportunities as they build their own skills, and creating positive club atmospheres where members practice, learn and grow as they welcome newcomers and build leaders all contribute to excellence. These foundational steps will all contribute to excellence in your district and your leadership.