"I don't know any other way to lead but by example"
About this Quote
The subtext is accountability. Example isn’t charisma, and it isn’t barking orders; it’s the daily, visible practice of the standards you’re demanding. Shula coached in an era when the head coach was often a monarch, yet his greatest asset was method: preparation, discipline, consistency. That’s why the line lands as both self-description and warning label. If your players can’t see you living the rules, they’ll treat your rules as optional.
Context sharpens it. Shula’s Dolphins were built on reliability - the famous undefeated 1972 season wasn’t a vibe, it was repetition executed flawlessly. “By example” also protects a locker room from the erosion of hypocrisy: favoritism, shortcuts, and double standards that players smell instantly. The quote’s power is its simplicity. It implies leadership is less about speeches and more about the unglamorous act of being watched - and staying worthy of it every day.
Quote Details
| Topic | Leadership |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Shula, Don. (2026, January 15). I don't know any other way to lead but by example. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-dont-know-any-other-way-to-lead-but-by-example-140375/
Chicago Style
Shula, Don. "I don't know any other way to lead but by example." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-dont-know-any-other-way-to-lead-but-by-example-140375/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"I don't know any other way to lead but by example." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-dont-know-any-other-way-to-lead-but-by-example-140375/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.










