A leadership lesson I learned in ROTC that I believe will help me be successful in my career is leading by example. Cadets and cadre consistently stressed how important it is to lead by example. No matter how high your rank is or how much authority you have over people, they will not follow you if you are not holding yourself to the same standards you are asking of them. Simply telling people what to do is far less effective than showing them how it’s done. I have always admired leaders who lead by example. They hold themselves accountable. They show up places on time every day and never complain about going the extra mile. They take responsibility for their actions and they push themselves to be better. I know that leading by example will help me in my career whether I stay in the Army or get a civilian job. If I remain in the Army, leading by example will help me gain trust from my unit. Soldiers look to their leadership to guide them but also to calm their nerves when they are in high stress situations. If I am level headed, hold my soldiers to high standards, and suffer through some of the same things they are suffering through in the field then my soldiers will have more respect for me and will want to push themselves for our unit. A leader that sweats with their Soldiers and does the same work they are going to do gains the trust of those under them. If I get a civilian job I will lead by example there too. No matter what job you have in the civilian world, leadership starts with you. I will show up to work every day and give 100 percent. I will meet deadlines and hold myself accountable for my mistakes. Instead of pointing fingers when something goes wrong, I will take charge and try to fix it. Leading by example will allow me to better myself at my job. Another way I will lead by example in my career is by always trying to learn. Leaders take constructive criticism from others and improve on their weaknesses. They are never “done” learning and always trying to be better people each and every day. If I lead by example and show others that I will always try to be better at my job, they will want to be better as well.