Never expect more from others than you’re willing to do yourself. It’s the ultimate leadership hack, a simple rule that builds trust and credibility almost instantly. Forget complex management theories; this is the foundation of genuine influence.
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Table of Contents
Meaning
At its heart, this is about personal accountability. It’s the principle of leading by example, not by decree.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. The managers who demand insane hours while they’re out the door at 4:30 PM? Their teams are miserable. The ones who roll up their sleeves and dive into the messy work alongside everyone else? They build armies. This quote isn’t about being a martyr; it’s about credibility. It’s the difference between saying “we need to hustle” and actually showing everyone what that hustle looks like. You create this unspoken contract of mutual respect. And that, my friend, is where real performance begins.
Quote Summary
Reading Level55
Aesthetic Score82
Origin & Factcheck
This one comes straight from Brian Tracy’s 2001 book, Hire and Keep the Best People. You’ll sometimes see it floating around misattributed to ancient philosophers or other leadership gurus, but it’s a core part of Tracy’s practical, action-oriented philosophy on management and personal effectiveness.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Never expect more from others than you are willing to do yourself |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2001; ISBN: 978-1576751275; Last edition: 2001, Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Number of pages: 112. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Leading by Example; Approximate page from 2001 edition |
Context
Tracy places this idea squarely in the middle of hiring and team-building. He’s making the point that to attract and retain A-players, you can’t just be a boss who hands down orders. You have to be the kind of leader that top talent wants to follow. This principle is the magnet.
Usage Examples
So, how does this work in the real world? It’s for anyone in a position of influence, really.
- For a Team Lead: Don’t just assign a tedious data cleanup task. Sit with your team for the first hour and crunch numbers with them. Your willingness to do the grunt work changes the entire energy.
- For a Parent: You can’t tell your kids to be organized and put their things away if your own home office is a disaster zone. Model the behavior you want to see.
- For a Founder: If you’re asking your early employees to take a pay cut for the vision, you’d better be the last one taking a salary. That commitment is contagious.
To whom it appeals?
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FAQ
Question: Does this mean I have to be better than everyone at everything?
Answer: Absolutely not. That’s a common misconception. It’s not about being the best technician or the fastest coder. It’s about demonstrating the same level of commitment, work ethic, and integrity you expect. You don’t have to do their job, but you do have to exemplify the standards.
Question: What if my team’s role is completely different from mine?
Answer: The principle still applies, just in a different way. You can’t code? Fine. But you can demonstrate relentless curiosity, meticulous preparation for meetings, or a no-complaining attitude when faced with a setback. You model the core behaviors, not the specific tasks.
Question: Isn’t this a fast track to burnout?
Answer: It can be if you misinterpret it as “I must do everything myself.” The key is setting a reasonable and sustainable standard. If you’re burning the midnight oil every night, you’re implicitly demanding that from your team. The real power is in setting a high but healthy standard of excellence that you personally adhere to.
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