When in doubt, lead by example.Anyone else finding, like me, that their roles at work are changing as they get older? As the workforce is gets closer and closer to the age of my own children, I find myself increasingly taking on the role of teacher in the workplace.Not surprisingly, it's something I don't mind. Just more opportunities to offer my opinion to people, right?Most of the time, the knowledge sharing is pretty easy. I tell stories or provide anecdotes to help illustrate points I am making and take cues from my audience. Usually I get some nods and questions that affirm that my message is being received and appropriately processed.But, like the old saying goes, actions usually speak much louder than words. Sometimes I find that the most effective way to get a message across is just stop talking and start doing so others can see how things are done.As we get older this may mean we have to get our hands a little dirtier than we wanted. It may mean having to do work that we haven't done in years. It takes more energy to make our point. It can also take more thought, as you have to think about not just completing a task, but completing a task in a deliberate enough way where an audience can see what you are doing so they can learn.Leading by example is usually the most effective route when driving home a message. When other people see someone else doing a task or filling a role that they may want to do themselves at some point, they can visualize what they need to do themselves and mimic the behavior as needed. We all can do it -- the question is do we really want to?For me, again I usually don't mind rolling up my sleeves. However I have been told that some people may perceive that as an indicator that I can't direct others strategically. That by resorting to doing the work that needs to be done myself it can be a sign of micro managing and lack of trust in my teammates.Perhaps there is truth in this. But I guess my philosophy aligns with the old proverb:Give someone a fish, you feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish, you feed them for a lifetime. Sometimes teaching people to fish takes more time and effort. It can be the circumstances and constraints under which you are teaching them. It can also be the the quality of student you have.I have very short patience for those who resist the urge to do what it takes to teach someone to feed themselves for a lifetime because of how it may look or whether or not they will have to get their own hands dirty. When in doubt, forget how it looks to others. I say choose to lead by example. Pretty soon you'll see a lot more fishing lines out in the water -- and everyone, including tired old you, will be eating well for a long time....And with that...to those Friends of Dave that are fortunate to be mothers, I hope you enjoy your Mother's Day weekend. Thank you for leading by example and teaching your young acolytes how to be the next generation of fishermen and women. I hope they are able to give you a break over the coming days and feed you for a change.Got some especially good articles below too. Hope you can find some time to read a few. Have a good one!XOXODave