🗓️ Idiom: Lead by Example (verb)
💬 Meaning
- To show others how to behave by doing the right thing yourself.
- To guide a team through your own actions, not just words.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The new manager decided to lead by example by arriving early and working hard.
- Good leaders lead by example instead of only giving orders.
- She led by example during the project, and the team respected her more.
🏛️ Origin
The phrase comes from the idea that true leadership is about action. Instead of telling people what to do, a leader should demonstrate it. It has been used in military and business contexts since at least the 19th century.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
A strong leader should always ________ by example to inspire the team.
Answer
lead
2. Multiple choice:
What does “lead by example” mean?
a) To make rules for others but not follow them
b) To show the right behavior through your own actions
c) To ignore how others behave
Answer
b) To show the right behavior through your own actions
3. Change the sentence using “lead by example”:
“She wanted her team to respect her, so she worked hard and was fair to everyone.”
Answer
She wanted her team to respect her, so she led by example.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
📚 Learning Resources
👉 Management and Leadership Idioms
👉 Business English Idioms List
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