03.07.13 The 11th Organisational Approach for Curbing Corruption : Lead by Example
Lead by Example
In many cases, not only do leaders lay the foundations on which an entity is built, value systems inclusive; but they (leaders) play a key role in inculcating those values in the culture of that entity. However, when leaders participate in the vice, supervisees who were initially ethical could follow suit; leading to the dismantling of the value systems on which that entity was founded in the first place. This unfortunate occurrence is what the Psalmist was lamenting about when he asked in Psalms 11:3 (NKJV): If the foundations are destroyed, what will the righteous do? Come to think of it, we cannot breach the very policies that we ourselves approved as leaders, and tasked others to adhere to, then expect compliance from our supervisees! But when a leader decides to be openly exemplary in the fight against corruption, that goes a long way in moulding an army of followers that will not succumb to the vice, whatever the case may be. Leading by example can cause people to disdain corruption once they realise the far-reaching and destructive impact that their participation could have on the entity that they were involved in building up. So, if you are in a leadership position, show unwavering commitment and resilience by displaying zero-tolerance to the vice. Lead by example... Let your team see you practicing what you preach. This includes advocating for the development and institution of suitable anti-corruption policies and taking firm decisions to eliminate the vice. See what Proverbs 29:2 says (AMPC): When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in authority, the people rejoice...
Amos 5:12, 15 says (NKJV): 12For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: Afflicting the just and taking bribes; ….15 … Establish justice in the gate… So, stand for justice and pursue it. Be fair. Protect the rights of the disadvantaged and victimised, irrespective of religion, tribe, gender, income bracket, colour or race. Let godly virtues shine through the decisions you make and in how you treat supervisees. Sometimes, it takes time for these anti-corruption messages to sink. Therefore, make sure that the messages you send to your team are consistent, recurrent and persistent, by using every available opportunity to repeatedly speak against the vice, such as in meetings and other forums.
Whereas your refraining from corruptive activities will benefit your organisation and country as a whole; your participation in corruptive activities will bring shame and reproach to those entities. That is what Proverbs 14:34 means when it says (NKJV):Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.