As a coach, in practice or a game, I take advantage of teachable moments to drive home a point or a behavior we want our players to repeat. When we won the 2024 State Championship after only winning one of our first 7 games, the first lesson was; Don’t give up on your dreams. The other lesson was; If we don’t adapt, change, and innovate we will be left behind. The coaches and the boys never gave up. There was a lot of hard work, change and innovation in the middle of the season that led to winning our last 7 games including the State Championship game and allowing only one goal. At the end of season banquet, I reminded the boys of their accomplishments and lessons learned. The life lessons learned were far more important than the Championship.

When teaching leadership, my first lesson is; Example isn’t the main thing it is the ONLY thing. What we DO is more important than what we SAY. Our captains know they must hustle if they expect their players to hustle. If they are on time for practice their players will be on time. Our Team refused to quit because the coaches and captains refused to quit. As a coach and a parent when I tell my players and children not to smoke and stay fit. I MUST SET THE EXAMPLE. Those in leadership positions like parents, business leaders and those leading non-profit organizations are looked to for leadership and the example they set. If people respect the leader they will follow their example.

I share the following as a lesson in EXAMPLE and what it means to followers. This isn’t about politics or climate change. Everyone has their own opinion. The example of leaders helps to form opinions. This week, Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly ditched his Tesla because of his dissatisfaction with Elon Musk and bought a Chevy Tahoe SUV. Senator Kelly has been a proponent of Climate Change. I respected Senator Kelly’s opinions regarding climate change because he is a fellow engineer and an astronaut who has a unique view of our planet from his space missions over a number of years. I have driven a Tahoe as a rental vehicle. It is a comfortable vehicle, spacious for passengers and cargo. It also uses a lot of gasoline. Senator Kelly’s example got me thinking. He didn’t buy another brand of EV. General Motors and Ford both make EVs. Kelly didn’t even buy a small, high mileage gasoline vehicle like a Subaru. He bought a gas hog. To his credit. He bought American.

Senator Kelly’s example of dumping his Tesla in favor of gasoline causes me and probably others to question a lot we have heard about climate change and the need to decarbonize. Climate change wasn’t mentioned in his comments. Did the Senator suddenly come to understand CO2 is good for growing plants and the planet and found an excuse to get the kind of vehicle he really wants? Is hatred more important than the planet? Have we been duped on climate change? Is the climate crisis real or is it another attempt by the government to control people? If a person likes EVs they should buy one. If a person prefers to buy a gasoline vehicle that should be their choice. In 2035 it will be almost impossible to buy a gasoline vehicle in California.

What does the example of those who commit violence or other acts against Tesla and the owners of Teslas tell us? Most Tesla buyers bought a Tesla because they care about the planet. More importantly, so far, I haven’t heard anyone who cares about the planet defend Tesla. In 2024, 49% of EVs sold in the USA were Teslas. No other EV is close. Consumers prefer Teslas. We were told for years how important electrification of transportation is and how EVs are the solution. Tesla has more charging stations than any company. GM and Ford aren’t making money on EVs. Elon Musk was doing more than anyone to promote EVs. If Tesla goes away don’t be surprised if the EV industry goes with it. The actions of these vandals and their leaders tell us climate isn’t important.

I don’t know what Senator Mark Kelly and others in leadership positions are thinking. That is the point. For anyone in a leadership position your followers don’t know what you are thinking. They can see your actions and they will draw their own conclusions.

What does this mean for corporate leaders, business leaders, parents and those leading organizations like churches, civic organizations like Scouts, Rotary, PTAs and athletic teams? The spotlight is always on leaders. Your followers are watching and listening. Watch your language around your young children. They may repeat a word(s) you said when you least expect it.

Leadership isn’t about title or position. According to leadership expert John Maxwell, anyone who influences and develops people is a leader. If we are dissatisfied with our people and their performance, as leaders we must first evaluate our own performance. Are we setting the example our people need to see? Are we a person of integrity who people can trust? Example is the only thing. Set a positive one.

It was announced this week, “For the 8th year in a row Finland is the Happiest Country in the World.” The USA didn’t make the top 10. Shale Crescent USA is privileged to work with a company from Finland who is expanding to the USA. We had dinner with them last fall. When I arrived at our hotel I asked the desk clerk, “Has the Finland delegation arrived?” With a large smile on her face the clerk responded, “Yes, they are lovely!” It was a fun evening. The Finns are happy people. Over 50 years ago in his program Lead the Field, author, speaker and radio host Earl Nightingale said, “Happiness is an inside job.” We can learn a lot from the Finns.