In each case, someone transmitted an idea through all of the human filters and landed it on target. That is a remarkable achievement. It is effective leadership. Thou shalt communicate by example . Whether it is the commander who shares danger with the troops or the statesman who refuses to compromise ethical principles, what we do, speaks so loudly that people often do not hear what we say.
Behavioral scientists call it modeling.
Others recognize it simply, as setting the example. Whatever we call it, there is no substitute for it in the leadership business. Thou shalt always distinguish between battles and skirmishes . As one moves to higher positions of leadership, authority and responsibility, this commandment becomes increasingly important. While there is a sandlot tendency to want to win every encounter, it is far better to learn the art of shrewdness, to understand the art of the possible and thereby, to learn which battles to fight and which skirmishes to ignore.