The Blog For Entrepreneurs

It is said that 89% of what we learn is gained from what we see, 10% from what we learn and 1% from other inputs. If this is the case then example is pretty much everything. Children are great proponents of this method and child will not always do what you say but will always do what you do (any parents who have let slip a swear word and had their child repeat it in public will know exactly what I mean!)

Leading by example for an entrepreneur is crucial for your employees and partners to be inspired. It is all very well to talk about making that sale, or completing that project but you have to be on your game and ‘show’ people that you can do it too.

An example from history is General Thomas J Jackson, widely regarded as one of the greatest of the Confederate commanders of the Civil War in the US. At one of the first major battles of the war, near Manassas, Virginia with bullets pinging all around, canon fire and smoke scarring the land and polluting the air, Jackson stood facing the enemy without a flinch. General Bernard E. Bee proclaimed, “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall” his men saw it too and the legend of ‘Stone Wall Jackson’ was born.

The men following Jackson were motivated, loyal and proud and began calling themselves ‘The Stonewallers’. What can encompass leadership more then when your followers are proud to identify directly with you in this way?

Jackson also had a book he used to carry around with him where he wrote maxims and statements that he either said or that had inspired him. These lessons are as useful today as they were in Stonewall Jackson’s time and the entrepreneur can learn much:

You may be whatever you resolve to be. – This is a truism that all entrepreneurs should be familiar with.

Through life let your principal object be the discharge of duty. – What is your duty? Is it taking care of your family, your business, your employees? We all need to find what our duty is.

Disregard public opinion when it interferes with your duty. – Public opinion is an important part of running a successful business, but sometimes you will make unpopular decisions that will dent your reputation. If you believe you are right, go for it and pay no heed to what others think.

Endeavor to be at peace with all men. – You just can’t get along with everybody, but the thought of being ‘at peace’ with my enemies is a great frame to have in my mind.

Sacrifice your life rather than your word. - As an entrepreneur this is crucial. Sometimes we give our word and things don’t work out, fulfilling that promise is crucial, however long it takes. I gave my word to some people on the basis of another’s word… It hasn’t worked out, but I am determined to complete these personal promises.

Endeavor to do well with everything you undertake. – This tells me focus. If you are making the bed at home, do it the best you can. If you are playing sport for leisure, do it the best you can. Even if you are in a job you hate, do it the best you can because if you do all things in this way, you will succeed.

Never speak disrespectfully of anyone without a cause. – Nobody like’s somebody being negative, even about others. If you are in that kind of crowd, be careful what people are saying about you when you are not around.

Let your conduct towards men have some uniformity. - Consistency is the key. In business we have to be fair. Nothing will destroy a business quicker than if the Boss is perceived to treat some more favorably than others, merely because of a personal preference or family connection.

Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. – Basically when you say you are going to do perform a task, do it.

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself ; waste nothing. – This is great one. Spend time and money on the benefit of yourself or others. Don’t get bogged down in meaningless trivia
Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off unnecessary actions. – Self explanatory and very true.

Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly. – This is something that should be at the center of an entrepreneurs thinking.

Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at accidents, common or unavoidable. – Love this one. How many of you get wound up about things that don’t matter, at things that just happen – accidents. I used to be Mr Angry at all of these things but now I am much healthier because I realize that these are obstacles to be overcome, not situations to get angry about.

It is man’s highest interest not to violate, or attempt to violate, the rules which Infinite Wisdom has laid down. The means by which men are to attain great elevation may be classed in three divisions — physical, mental, and moral. Whatever relates to health, belongs to the first; whatever relates to the improvement of the mind, belongs to the second. The formation of good manners and virtuous habits constitutes the third. – ‘Nuff said.

Good-breeding is opposed to selfishness, vanity, or pride. Never weary your company by talking too long or too frequently. – Errrr hmmmm… noted Stonewall.

Make it a rule never to accuse without due consideration any body or association of men. – If only people did do this. Your example should be to weigh up an scenario and make a judgment on facts. Sadly many turn to the Internet and spout off whatever poison is on their mind with little regard for the truth. Take this one to heart.

The above maxim’s are an interesting glimpse into the mind of someone consciously trying to be a good example to his men and in life in general. We have much to learn from people like Stonewall Jackson and others who strive to be leaders by being good examples rather that ‘talking a good game’.

I for one learned a lot by researching this guy. Let me know your thoughts on leadership and any other maxim’s that have helped you in business or your life.

Regards
David
@OneLifeNoFear