"A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not” means that even a leader’s flaws (something not intended to be seen) are examples of leadership. The popular saying is usually attributed to “anonymous.”

“The leader sets the example whether he intends to or not!” is from Donald G. Krause’s book, The Way of the Leader (1997).


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Quotations about Leadership
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.  ~Author Unknown

Google Books
The Way of the Leader
By Donald G. Krause
New York, NY: Berkley Pub. Group
1997
Pg. 8:
The leader sets the example whether he intends to or not!

Google Books
Creating High Performance Software Development Teams
By Frank P. Ginac
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR
2000
Pg. ?:
Every person in a position of leadership leads by example whether they want to or not.

Google Groups: alt.flame.hammer
Magic
Jun 28 2000
(...)
“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.” --Anon

Quoteland.com
enola_catori
Posted 07-26-02 11:57 PM
(...)
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not. ~Author Unknown

Google Books
The 100 Greatest Leadership Principles of All Time
By Leslie Pockell and Adrienne Avila
New York, NY: Warner Business Books
2007
Pg. ?:
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.
Anonymous

Google Books
Awakened Mind:
One-Minute Wake Up Calls to a Bold and Mindful Life
By David Kundtz
San Francisco, CA: Conari Press
2009
Pg. 86:
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.
—American Proverb

Google Books
Leading Small Groups with Purpose:
Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group
By Steve Gladen
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
2012
Pg. 54:
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.
Anonymous

Being a leader is never easy. It takes a lot of good qualities to become one. It is never an easy thing to be an example to others. However, as they say, a leader is born not just made.

I agree to this thought. We usually looked up to our leaders and see them as our example. We follow how they think, react and face every problem of our society. That is why being a leader does not just need you to be intelligent, you also need to have good qualities that people can follow.

Leader are the pillars of a certain state. Most of the time we may question the way they do this and that but in every step they make they consider what is more significant for the people and the state. I am proud to learned about the significant passage from the leader of a generation to another.

Best regards.

Yeah, it should be on the top of the list. To keep the group moving forward, leader must set an example. Similarly, a good leader must be sensitive to the needs of his members and courageous in all circumstances.

So true! Being a leader is not that easy. You need to demonstrate your values through your actions and do the right thing since you are looked upon by people as an example. Thanks for sharing this inspiring quote about leadership! Keep posting!

A great leader has a great responsibility. All something done will be followed by people through the actions of our leader that is why, a person who guides our way should be a good example.

As a maxim goes: “With great power comes great responsibility”. Being a leader is not an easy task, it entails hardship and sacrifices. Nevertheless, leaders are not perfect individuals, of course, they commit mistakes and have flaws of their own, that is human nature. When a leader commits something contrary to what is right, it is now our duty to condemned his act and not to follow it.

It is very important for a leader to set as a role model to the people he leads. As a leader, you have a big responsibility to the people around you, and therefore you are expected to live a kind of life you wanted them to live as well.

To be a good leader, you must also be a good follower. A leader leads and decides for the benefit of all, and in making decisions it is also important that he listens from the voice of his people. With this, he will be able to know what they need and so they can achieve a common goal.

Thank you for taking time to share this wonderful references. I do read “ The 100 Greatest Leadership Principles of All Time” and it’s undeniably a good book. And the writer is really good identifying the great qualities of being a leader (Intelligence, Trustworthiness, Humaneness, Courage, and Discipline). It is worth to read, really.