Truths Are Caught, Not Taught

I believe that the task of a leader, as a parent at home or as a supervisor at work, is to find ways to bring out the best in people.

This includes bringing out the best in yourself, because how can you lead others if you cannot lead yourself? How can you give what you do not have? How can you teach what you do not know? How can you teach values you are not living?

Every action teaches the belief system that motivates it. You cannot not communicate because you constantly broadcast your values and beliefs. Your true belief system forms an aura that you transmit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Thus the truism: “Truths are caught, not taught.”

You can have a fine-sounding mission statement in the corporate headquarters lobby, but the truth is that your company’s collective actions speak a lot louder than any words. You can talk to your children about honesty and good citizenship, but do you point it out if your waiter forgets to charge for your coffee? Do you let others ahead of you in traffic? Do you sincerely apologize when you are wrong AND alter your behavior to make amends?

Every organization is the shadow of its leadership. Truths are caught, not taught. What truths have you taught today? What do others “catch” from you?

Closing quotes:

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” – John Cotton Dana

“Example isn’t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach.” – Albert Einstein

“By learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn.” – Latin proverb