12 Non-Negotiables To Leading By Example

Angels 1B Albert Pujols is the best player in major league baseball and an Apex Leader.  On March 3rd, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote an incredible piece on the leadership qualities of this incredible man who recently signed a 10-year contract for $250 million. 

Pujols does not lead others by words, but by example.  His style and approach are something all other leaders can learn from.  The following are 12 quotes and principles I gleaned from Saxon’s piece.  To read the full article, click here.

1. Leading By Example Requires Production – Angels pitcher Dan Haren says, “When our team comes to town, you know Albert Pujols is coming to town and we’re coming with him,” 
2. Leading By Example Requires Proven Character – Before investing $250 million in an individual, GM Jerry Dipoto and his team did extensive background checks into Pujols’ past.  They needed to ensure that Albert would not only be a superstar on the field, but off of it as well.  
3. Leading By Example Means Valuing Everyone’s Contribution – Dipoto said, “Is it ex-teammates, is it people you know on a coaching staff, is it guys who played with him and are now out of the game? You start building the pieces.”
4.  Leading By Example Requires Generosity – Pujols is well-know for his charity work and foundation that helps young people.  
5. Leading By Example Means You Are Approachable – While Pujols can come across as gruff during interviews, to his teammates, “he is viewed as a surprisingly humble superstar, an approachable veteran.”
6. Leading By Example Means Setting The Emotional Tone – Pujols brings an intense playing style that team officials hope will rub-off on the team.  
7. Leading By Example Means Hard Work – Pujols said. “When you’re here, you’re working. This is what gets you ready. If you want to have a championship ballclub, this is where it starts.”
8. Leading By Example Adds Value To Others – When referring to his younger brother Yadier, Angels guest instructor Benjie Molina says, “Albert showed my brother how to get ready for the game, how to work out after the game, the way you take losses so hard, the way you go at it during games, all that.  My brother is a really, really good player because he had Albert to show him.”
9. Leading By Example Requires Responsibility – Pujols says, “If you show up at 9:30 when they’re supposed to be there at 8:30, what are you teaching your employees?  You can show up one day late and, even though you’re the boss, you’re showing your players to do what you do. Believe it or not, our minds as humans want to do what the leader does.”
10. Leading By Example Affects The Next Generation – Pujols’ every move will be watched by all the young players on the Angels roster.  He will be able to teach them the nuances of the game like patience at the plate, base running, and defense without saying a word.
11. Leading By Example Means Breaking Down Walls And Crossing Barriers – There are many nationalities represented on the Angels.  Haren says, “The good thing about him is he really relates to Latins and Americans so well.  He speaks perfect Spanish and perfect English. He’s quiet, but he makes an effort to reach out and try to make everyone feel comfortable.”
12. Leading By Example Means You Were Once Led Well – Haren also points out that, “When he (Pujols) was an up and comer, I think Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen taught him the right way to be.”

Production, Character, Valuing The Contribution Of Others, Generosity, Approachable, Setting The Emotional Tone, Hard Work, Adding Value, Responsibility, The Next Generation, Breaking Down Walls, and Learning From Other Leaders.  If you are focused on these 12 things, you are probably leading by example.

If not, what do you need to work on as a leader? 

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