“Do As I Say, Not As I Do” aka Hypocrisy 101
Why is this still a thing? For as long as I can remember, leading by example is the number one way for leaders to lead. Leading by Example, sets a standard that challenges followers to either match or exceed. Leading by Example is what all great leaders, either intentionally or unintentionally, do 100% of the time.
As unfortunate as it is to say, that even though it is 2022 there are still managers that believe that leading by example is not the way to lead. While, they may be aware that they cannot club someone/anyone over the head to get them to do something they want done. Those managers then resort to talking down to those they manage. They resort to threat. Worst of all, they resort to a tactic known as “Do as I say, not as I do” process.
A manager will set the expectation of the employees or staff or team members then almost immediately the manager does the opposite. For example, the manager demands all employees be at their desk and working by no later than 8:01am. Sounds plausible. Yet, the manager rolls in around five minutes to nine or sometimes around fifteen after 9:00am. Then when questioned by a team member the response from the manager is almost always “if they don’t like it, they can leave.” Now that’s hardly the sound of a genuine leader. That is the action of an authentic hypocrite.
That someone who engages in the “same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another or the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform”. Yes, that hypocrite.
That type of individual is not alone. they are not the anomaly, not the exception but they are, also, not the standard. Hypocrites are out there. How they are made can vary. Some say hypocrites are created when others they saw as mentors did to them that they now do to others. Sadly, those individuals grow to become managers (please note I never said they grow up to become leaders). They do so because they do not know any better.
The other train of thought when it comes to the birth of hypocrites, is that they have a deep-rooted sense of entitlement. Look at those individuals that obtain a degree and immediately that sense of “I know better than you do because I have a degree” comes into play. Sure enough, those individuals are truly believing that their degree trumps real world experience. As opposed to putting in the work and learning the right way, their mind is wrapped around the concept of that degree is the end all and be all.
Yet, there are “managers” that self-proclaim as leaders are out there behaving in a manner completely opposite of the “Lead by Example” mindset. Let me be the first to confirm what many are thinking when it comes hypocrites most will never change. That is why most will never understand why those they are supposed to be leading will never see them as leaders.
The ability of the manager to change for the better is there ONLY if they want to change. Only when they realize that as managers, they can be more to the people that report to them, can they begin to change.
Changing for the better is realizing that the dictatorial mindset that comes with the “do as I say, not as I do” attitude is not the way to lead. Every manager must strive to become a leader. Every leader must do what it takes to fully understand that Leading by Example will be easier to set any standard than it is to dictate or, heaven forbid, micro-manage.
Managers if you do not believe that those that follow you are NOT watching you but following your ONE-SIDED demands let me be the first to tell you: YOU ARE WRONG!
They are watching everything. They are watching everything YOU say. They are watching everything YOU do.
If you do not believe me then prepared for the end results that are sure to follow because of your naivete, your ignorance or your arrogance.
