If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good

The words of Ingvar Kamprad—“If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example. I have to do so for all the Ikea employees.”—carry the strength of lived wisdom, for they are not spoken from ivory towers but from the forge of work and life. Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, who rose from humble beginnings in rural Sweden to build a global empire, understood that leadership is not built on commands or lofty titles, but on the silent authority of example. He knew that a leader’s actions echo louder than his words, shaping the spirit of an organization far more than speeches ever could.

To give a good example is to embody the virtues one demands of others. The leader who asks for diligence must himself be diligent; the leader who preaches humility must himself be humble. Kamprad lived this truth—famous for his modesty, he drove an old Volvo, flew economy class, and furnished his own home with IKEA products. These were not theatrics but convictions, a living testimony that the path he asked his employees to walk was the same one he walked himself. Thus, his example became a beacon that guided thousands, teaching them that success is not measured by luxury, but by discipline, integrity, and service.

History is filled with such leaders who led by example. Consider George Washington, who, though offered kingship, laid down power after two terms as President of the United States. By doing so, he taught his young nation that leadership must serve liberty, not enslave it. His actions spoke louder than decrees, carving a tradition of peaceful transfer of power that endures to this day. Washington’s legacy, like Kamprad’s, reveals the enduring truth: that example is the seed from which trust and loyalty grow.

On the contrary, history also warns of leaders who failed this principle. Kings who lived in extravagance while their people starved, rulers who demanded sacrifice yet refused to sacrifice themselves, all saw their empires crumble in distrust and rebellion. The lesson is plain: when leaders exalt themselves above the people they serve, they destroy the very foundation of their authority. Kamprad’s humility stands as a sharp contrast to such arrogance, showing us that good leadership is not self-indulgence, but self-discipline lived openly before others.

Kamprad also reminds us of responsibility: “I have to do so for all the IKEA employees.” A leader does not live for himself alone, but for those who follow. His actions ripple outward, shaping not only the company but also the lives of families, the communities they touch, and the culture they create. In this, leadership is both privilege and burden—the eyes of many watch the few, and the conduct of one can either uplift or corrupt the whole. The wise leader understands this weight and bears it with humility.

The lesson for us all is clear. Whether you lead a great company, a household, or your own self, you must first lead by example. If you seek respect, show respect. If you desire loyalty, give loyalty. If you long for excellence, practice it yourself. Do not demand from others what you do not live yourself. Let your actions be your loudest words, your conduct your clearest teaching. For leadership is not a crown to wear but a path to walk—walk it with honor, and others will follow gladly.

So, O seeker of wisdom, take Kamprad’s words as a torch for your own journey. Good leadership is example, and every life, whether great or small, shines as an example to someone. Live in such a way that your example is worthy, that it inspires, that it strengthens. For the world is not changed by orders and commands, but by men and women whose lives themselves are living lessons of courage, humility, and truth. Let this be your leadership: to live what you wish to see in others, and to do so faithfully, whether the world watches or not.