--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't lead by example if you are a…" description: "\"You can't lead by example if you are a bad example. If you stink at something, stop doing in front of everyone until you improve!\" — Garrison Wynn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/garrison-wynn-13836_bad-example_you-can-t-lead-by-example-if-you-are-a-b_1174052.png" --- # You can't lead by example if you are a bad example. If you… ![“You can't lead by example if you are a bad example. If you stink at something, stop doing in front of everyone until you improve!” quote by Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/garrison-wynn-13836_bad-example_you-can-t-lead-by-example-if-you-are-a-b_1174052.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/garrison-wynn-13836_bad-example_you-can-t-lead-by-example-if-you-are-a-b_1174052.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/garrison-wynn-13836_bad-example_you-can-t-lead-by-example-if-you-are-a-b_1174052.png) > “You can't lead by example if you are a bad example. If you stink at something, stop doing in front of everyone until you improve!” [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders must embody the behavior they expect; otherwise they lose credibility. **In simple terms:** Leaders should set good examples. Key Takeaway Model the standards you demand. Themes leadership example integrity Mood serious instructive Type advisory ethical When to use this quote - team meetings - training sessions - public speaking Key Concepts role modeling behavioral standards accountability Questions to Reflect On - What actions reflect your values? - How do you correct poor behavior? A Different Perspective People may ignore examples if not reinforced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-example/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Lead by example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead-by-example/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [“Don't be a good example of the bad example.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yong-sau-peng/don-t-be-a-good-example-of-the-bad-example/) Yong Sau Peng > [When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search yourself for his faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-you-see-a-good-man-try-to-emulate-his-example-and-when-you-see-a/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To lead by example is to offer your life as a living diarry for others to read. Never make your life pages blank; make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-lead-by-example-is-to-offer-your-life-as-a-living-diarry-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I would say I'm not like the loudest guy, but I lead by example, and I just make sure all my teammates are on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-trubisky/i-would-say-i-m-not-like-the-loudest-guy-but-i-lead-by-example-and-i/) [Mitchell Trubisky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-trubisky/) > [One of the most important actions, things a leader can do, is to lead by example. If you want everyone else to be passionate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/one-of-the-most-important-actions-things-a-leader-can-do-is-to-lead/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [I'm the kind of person that when I saw a lack of African Americans in the apparel business, that was something I set out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daymond-john/i-m-the-kind-of-person-that-when-i-saw-a-lack-of-african-americans-in/) [Daymond John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daymond-john/) > [Those who lead by example and demonstrate passion for what they do make it much easier for their followers to do the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/those-who-lead-by-example-and-demonstrate-passion-for-what-they-do/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [“Follow the advice of those that lead by example, instead of those lost in the norms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-e-olmedo/follow-the-advice-of-those-that-lead-by-example-instead-of-those-lost/) Cynthia E. Olmedo > [I like to lead by example. I like to lead by my actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-like-to-lead-by-example-i-like-to-lead-by-my-actions/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [“Lead by example. That’s what I learnt and now I was practicing that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arun-prabhu-aradhya/lead-by-example-that-s-what-i-learnt-and-now-i-was-practicing-that/) [Arun Prabhu- aradhya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arun-prabhu-aradhya/) > [I think that's kind of who I am. I just try to be vocal and try to lead by example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaylen-brown/i-think-that-s-kind-of-who-i-am-i-just-try-to-be-vocal-and-try-to/) [Jaylen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaylen-brown/) > [I will try to lead by example, by my voice in the dressing room and then one-on-one if necessary. It's not top of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-fletcher/i-will-try-to-lead-by-example-by-my-voice-in-the-dressing-room-and/) [Darren Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-fletcher/) > [I'm kind of a quiet leader, and I just try to lead by example. But then sometimes you have to say something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chamique-holdsclaw/i-m-kind-of-a-quiet-leader-and-i-just-try-to-lead-by-example-but-then/) [Chamique Holdsclaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chamique-holdsclaw/) > [I'm not the most vocal guy, but I try to lead by example every single day with how I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-ingram/i-m-not-the-most-vocal-guy-but-i-try-to-lead-by-example-every-single/) [Brandon Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-ingram/) > [I always wanted someone looking up to me and trying to understand where I'm coming from as a leader. I'm ready for that. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-brooks/i-always-wanted-someone-looking-up-to-me-and-trying-to-understand/) [Dillon Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-brooks/) ## More by Garrison Wynn > [All I ever wanted was an unfair advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/all-i-ever-wanted-was-an-unfair-advantage/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Helping people develop their own brilliance is much more effective than giving them yours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/helping-people-develop-their-own-brilliance-is-much-more-effective/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Connecting to your passion is being you, but better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/connecting-to-your-passion-is-being-you-but-better/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [You can't change people but you can effect a change in them by your behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/you-can-t-change-people-but-you-can-effect-a-change-in-them-by-your/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Position yourself to succeed first by building good relationships with the right people; and then put your effort and expertise behind that!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/position-yourself-to-succeed-first-by-building-good-relationships/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Worry is not the symptom of a problematic life; it's the problem. Situations pass that make our life difficult, it's the worry that stay's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/worry-is-not-the-symptom-of-a-problematic-life-it-s-the-problem/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Fear is a survival tool not a handicap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/fear-is-a-survival-tool-not-a-handicap/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Squirrels are just rats with good publicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/squirrels-are-just-rats-with-good-publicity/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [We are what we repeatedly do but we can be perceived by what we repeatedly say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/we-are-what-we-repeatedly-do-but-we-can-be-perceived-by-what-we/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [After spending some time with my soul mate I have come to the conclusion that I may have something wrong with my soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/after-spending-some-time-with-my-soul-mate-i-have-come-to-the/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Impatience has a poor track record for perfection. Getting things right usually includes calming down!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/impatience-has-a-poor-track-record-for-perfection-getting-things/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [The truth will set you free: believability will give you credibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/the-truth-will-set-you-free-believability-will-give-you-credibility/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [No communication takes place until the other person feels heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/no-communication-takes-place-until-the-other-person-feels-heard/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Before you can have great employees you have to put them in a position to create their own future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/before-you-can-have-great-employees-you-have-to-put-them-in-a/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [I cannot tolerate my bad behavior in another person for 10 seconds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/i-cannot-tolerate-my-bad-behavior-in-another-person-for-10-seconds/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) [Explore all 49 Garrison Wynn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) ## More Bad example quotes > [Recipients of transfers set a bad example for others, including their children, other relatives, and friends, who see that one can receive goods, services,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-higgs/recipients-of-transfers-set-a-bad-example-for-others-including-their/) [Robert Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-higgs/) > [“So then, according to Jesus, the ‘evils’ which we think, say and do are not due primarily to our environment, nor are they bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-w-stott/so-then-according-to-jesus-the-evils-which-we-think-say-and-do-are/) [John R.W. Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-w-stott/) > [The NBA's chosen ones think I'm setting a bad example? I think they need to look around and stop taking themselves so seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/the-nba-s-chosen-ones-think-i-m-setting-a-bad-example-i-think-they/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [When you have girlfriend, there is no room for lies, no room for anything but truth.anything other that is a bad example, I believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paritoshik-sharma/when-you-have-girlfriend-there-is-no-room-for-lies-no-room-for/) [Paritoshik Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paritoshik-sharma/) > [“Claire was just coming down the stairs, humming and thinking about how nice it was to have things getting back to normal, and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/claire-was-just-coming-down-the-stairs-humming-and-thinking-about-how/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [I like putting my money into things like food and shelter. I'm probably a bad example of an investor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-baker/i-like-putting-my-money-into-things-like-food-and-shelter-i-m/) [Simon Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-baker/) > [Feminism is not a fad. It's not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-christie/feminism-is-not-a-fad-it-s-not-like-angry-birds-although-it-does/) [Bridget Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-christie/) > [Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set a bad example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/nothing-is-more-confusing-than-people-who-give-good-advice-but-set-a/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Greenlight is a bad example of an election process. We came to the conclusion pretty quickly that we could just do away with Greenlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/greenlight-is-a-bad-example-of-an-election-process-we-came-to-the/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [Whatever parent gives his children good instruction and sets them at the same time a bad example, may be considered as bringing them food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-balguy/whatever-parent-gives-his-children-good-instruction-and-sets-them-at/) John Balguy > [“BARBIE GOES TO WAR There are more than a billion Barbies. Only the Chinese outnumber them. The most beloved woman on the planet would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/barbie-goes-to-war-there-are-more-than-a-billion-barbies-only-the/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [Who said I was wise? I’m a professional bad example. You can learn a lot by watching me. Or listening to me. Either one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jubal/who-said-i-was-wise-i-m-a-professional-bad-example-you-can-learn-a/) Jubal > [I know I'm bad atleast I can be used as BAD EXAMPLE!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-i-m-bad-atleast-i-can-be-used-as-bad-example/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But as a Christian, let me say Merry Christmas on a national holiday called Christmas and you’d think Satan incarnate himself just showed up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-hutcherson/but-as-a-christian-let-me-say-merry-christmas-on-a-national-holiday/) [Ken Hutcherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-hutcherson/) > [The truth is very few of us are related to Napoleon or Cleopatra. Although, those are bad examples as I am actually descended from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-piddock/the-truth-is-very-few-of-us-are-related-to-napoleon-or-cleopatra/) [Jim Piddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-piddock/) [Browse all 86 Bad example quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-example/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't lead by example if you are a bad example. 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