--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lead by examples, not words." description: "\"Lead by examples, not words.\" — Johnny Colt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg" --- # Lead by examples, not words. ![“Lead by examples, not words.” quote by Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg) > “Lead by examples, not words.” [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes demonstrating values through actions rather than mere words. **In simple terms:** Lead by doing, not just speaking. Key Takeaway Model behavior you expect. Themes leadership integrity action Mood inspirational practical Type leadership motivational When to use this quote - team management - mentorship - public speaking Key Concepts role modeling behavioral influence authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders ensure their actions align with their words? - What examples best illustrate this principle? A Different Perspective Actions can be misread without clear communication. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Examples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/examples/) [Examples Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/examples-words-4957702/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Lead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead/) [Lead Examples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lead-examples-4957701/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [It is time for a leader who will lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/it-is-time-for-a-leader-who-will-lead/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [“Real kings and queens are people whose heads are crowned with dreams as they sit on the throne of passion. They rule with visions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/real-kings-and-queens-are-people-whose-heads-are-crowned-with-dreams/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Serving others prepares you to lead others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/serving-others-prepares-you-to-lead-others/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [“Leadership is built on true character! You lose your leadership when you fake your character. The degree of leadership potential a person can expose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/leadership-is-built-on-true-character-you-lose-your-leadership-when/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I hate the stereotype of the pitfalls of the child actor. There are so many amazing examples - Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jodie Foster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/i-hate-the-stereotype-of-the-pitfalls-of-the-child-actor-there-are-so/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) > [Some examples can't change an opinion into a fact…but few samples do..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka/some-examples-can-t-change-an-opinion-into-a-fact-but-few-samples-do/) [Priyanka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka/) > [“Life is like defusing a bomb, once you cut the wrong wire your whole life is ruined.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-zahy-hussain/life-is-like-defusing-a-bomb-once-you-cut-the-wrong-wire-your-whole/) [Mohamed Zahy Hussain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-zahy-hussain/) > [The writers who reject tendentiousness and purpose in their work are the very ones who display it in every word they write. I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjornstjerne-bjornson/the-writers-who-reject-tendentiousness-and-purpose-in-their-work-are/) [Bjornstjerne Bjornson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjornstjerne-bjornson/) > [The best way to understanding is a few good examples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/the-best-way-to-understanding-is-a-few-good-examples/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [Other places are also generators of far-flung violence beyond their own borders - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are obvious examples - but none has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/other-places-are-also-generators-of-far-flung-violence-beyond-their/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Teachers don't tell us the truth about historical people. If we knew the truth, parents couldn't hold their lives up as examples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hulce/teachers-don-t-tell-us-the-truth-about-historical-people-if-we-knew/) [Tom Hulce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hulce/) > [We create in people through our actions and example. In this way people around us become reflections of our own behavioral patterns and internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-create-in-people-through-our-actions-and-example-in-this-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Amy Winehouse and Paul Weller are examples of poets, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/amy-winehouse-and-paul-weller-are-examples-of-poets-i-think/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [God love Neil Patrick Harris - how great is that. People grew up with him; they go, 'Oh it's him, it's that little boy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/god-love-neil-patrick-harris-how-great-is-that-people-grew-up-with/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) ## More by Johnny Colt > [I started shooting pictures because I had all these photographers around me, and life was kind of boring creatively because you play the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/i-started-shooting-pictures-because-i-had-all-these-photographers/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [Yoga is how I got sober.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/yoga-is-how-i-got-sober/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [Musically, what happened was this: I retired twice. I retired after The Black Crowes, and I retired after Brand New Immortals. Then, we started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/musically-what-happened-was-this-i-retired-twice-i-retired-after-the/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [I have my own favorites; right now it's 'Simple Man,' but that changes from time to time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/i-have-my-own-favorites-right-now-it-s-simple-man-but-that-changes/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [I had left the music business and became a conflict journalist. The conflict journalism started for me in the Gulf and the oil spill.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/i-had-left-the-music-business-and-became-a-conflict-journalist-the/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [Rehab is one thing, but it takes years to get that attitude adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/rehab-is-one-thing-but-it-takes-years-to-get-that-attitude-adjustment/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [One of the things about dealing with an artist is that their art is essentially - if they're successful, it's kind of lightning in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/one-of-the-things-about-dealing-with-an-artist-is-that-their-art-is/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [I was 8 years old when I started listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company and Led Zeppelin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/i-was-8-years-old-when-i-started-listening-to-lynyrd-skynyrd-and-bad/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [What else do you say to Medlocke, Rossington and Van Zant? We're talking Southern rock royalty. We're talking Lynyrd Skynyrd. The only thing out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/what-else-do-you-say-to-medlocke-rossington-and-van-zant-we-re/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [My father was in the military, so I was in Okinawa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/my-father-was-in-the-military-so-i-was-in-okinawa/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [I had a deal with CNN and had no intention of going back to the music business, but you know, it's Lynyrd Skynyrd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/i-had-a-deal-with-cnn-and-had-no-intention-of-going-back-to-the-music/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [If the Pacific took Nauru, it'd wash away one of the strangest and most troubled places on Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/if-the-pacific-took-nauru-it-d-wash-away-one-of-the-strangest-and/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [Seriously, American pop culture must be the most predominant force on the planet, next to pollution and poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/seriously-american-pop-culture-must-be-the-most-predominant-force-on/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [When you grow up in Atlanta, joining Lynyrd Skynyrd is like joining the Rolling Stones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/when-you-grow-up-in-atlanta-joining-lynyrd-skynyrd-is-like-joining/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [I grew up in Japan. It's my first memories of life are Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/i-grew-up-in-japan-it-s-my-first-memories-of-life-are-japan/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) [Explore all 27 Johnny Colt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) ## More Examples quotes > [I hate the stereotype of the pitfalls of the child actor. There are so many amazing examples - Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jodie Foster,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/i-hate-the-stereotype-of-the-pitfalls-of-the-child-actor-there-are-so/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) > [Amy Winehouse and Paul Weller are examples of poets, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/amy-winehouse-and-paul-weller-are-examples-of-poets-i-think/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [We create in people through our actions and example. In this way people around us become reflections of our own behavioral patterns and internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-create-in-people-through-our-actions-and-example-in-this-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Teachers don't tell us the truth about historical people. If we knew the truth, parents couldn't hold their lives up as examples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hulce/teachers-don-t-tell-us-the-truth-about-historical-people-if-we-knew/) [Tom Hulce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hulce/) > [Other places are also generators of far-flung violence beyond their own borders - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are obvious examples - but none has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/other-places-are-also-generators-of-far-flung-violence-beyond-their/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [The best way to understanding is a few good examples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newton/the-best-way-to-understanding-is-a-few-good-examples/) [Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newton/) > [The writers who reject tendentiousness and purpose in their work are the very ones who display it in every word they write. I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bjornstjerne-bjornson/the-writers-who-reject-tendentiousness-and-purpose-in-their-work-are/) [Bjornstjerne Bjornson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bjornstjerne-bjornson/) > [“Life is like defusing a bomb, once you cut the wrong wire your whole life is ruined.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-zahy-hussain/life-is-like-defusing-a-bomb-once-you-cut-the-wrong-wire-your-whole/) [Mohamed Zahy Hussain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-zahy-hussain/) > [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/) > [Some examples can't change an opinion into a fact…but few samples do..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka/some-examples-can-t-change-an-opinion-into-a-fact-but-few-samples-do/) [Priyanka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka/) > [God love Neil Patrick Harris - how great is that. People grew up with him; they go, 'Oh it's him, it's that little boy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/god-love-neil-patrick-harris-how-great-is-that-people-grew-up-with/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [“These bizarre examples attempt to prove one conceptual point or another by deliberately reducing all but one underappreciated feature of some phenomenon to zero,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/these-bizarre-examples-attempt-to-prove-one-conceptual-point-or/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) > [“There are many examples to show that people will work more for a cause than for cash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/there-are-many-examples-to-show-that-people-will-work-more-for-a/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [The main objective of our cinema is to entertain. If you can pass on a message at the same time, that is fantastic, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-bachchan/the-main-objective-of-our-cinema-is-to-entertain-if-you-can-pass-on-a/) [Abhishek Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-bachchan/) > [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 146 Examples quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/examples/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Lead by examples, not words.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johnny Colt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/lead-by-examples-not-words/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Examples" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/lead-by-examples-not-words/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/johnny-colt-22505_examples_lead-by-examples-not-words-2221210_2221210.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Lead by examples, not words.” — Johnny Colt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johnny Colt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Lead by examples, not words.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/lead-by-examples-not-words/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/lead-by-examples-not-words/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```