Lead NOT by Example - 'Do as I say, not as (I do) I've done'?

MSG Quick:
Your question reminded me of a time I was sweeping my own chapel in Iraq.  I had ditched my blouse, and was cleaning my chapel because my Chaplain's Assistant had been going full bore, for quite some time, and was, exhausted.  My CSM stopped by the chapel and "caught" me doing the right thing.  He smiled, and simply said "Soldier, if you see the Chaplain, can you tell him I'm looking for him?"  He laughed and walked away.

I have always been taught that it is bad leadership to ask a subordinate to do anything you're unwilling to do yourself.  Similarly, as a Chaplain, you put your life and security into the hands of the enlisted.  If you're going to trust them with your life, it is wise to treat them really really well.

Part of life's lessons are telling others to do things differently than you did, and doing them differently yourself if given a second chance. That is a process called learning from your mistakes. Now asking a Soldier to do something that you would not do yourself is something totally different. We all make mistakes, and if we ever get to the point where we are not making mistakes, then it is time for a REAL self evaluation as it is a never ending cycle of making mistakes and learning.