What is your philosophy on leadership?

"What is your philosophy on Leadership?" former South Africa President Nelson Mandela asked Springboks team captain Francois Pienaar before they won the epic final with New Zealand in the movie, Invictus. "By example. I was always taught to lead by example, sir," Pienaar replied. "

The movie reminded of Christopher, a former colleague in my previous work. In his email I received yesterday, he mentioned that he was promoted to the post of manager last March 2010. Also, he narrated his fury and whining about his employees for browsing the internet at work. He believed that deserved punishment so he served disciplinary actions and disconnection notice to all concerns. He also called them dishonest and no fear of God's punishment so they should work for every penny they received from the company.

Christopher is a friend of mine, but I felt the fumes getting out of my nose while reading his email. The guy never realizes who he was five months ago - a true liability to the company. He is neither absent nor late at work or committee meetings. He checks and spends more time watching the on-line stock market. Frequently, he leaves work early or go out for 2 to 3 hours to pick up his wife or children from whereever. He smokes and take long breaks. And a lot more...

In my opinion Christopher's intention is good, but the way he addressed the problem was definitely wrong. Remember Pienaar's answer to Mandela? Lead by example. Christopher needs to change himself first by quitting bad working habits. He must learn how to gain the trust, commitment, and loyalty of his employees as well as build strong communication lines and good working relationships with them as they are the key to his and section's success.

If you have better advice for Christopher, please feel free to post your comments.