We have all heard the saying, “Practice What You Preach”. But motivational speaker Les Brown said something on a video that prompted me to issue my next comment challenge. In a comment challenge, YOU provide the wisdom, the lesson, the points and tips for your fellow reader.
I issued my first comment challenge when I asked you whether it was better to ask permission or forgiveness
Here is the challenge statement for today: Les Brown said,
“Don’t practice what you preach. Preach what you practice.”
Imagine you were being asked to explain, defend, or refute this statement. What would you say? Give your point of view, spin, and observation based on your knowledge and experience. Write as much or as little as you like.
To get started: Is there a difference between the two phrases? Is that difference significant? What does this imply for leadership, communication, relationships, social media, time management, or creativity?
Ready?
Set?
Go!
Leave your comment below. Reply to other comments. Remember leaving a comment is a chance to practice improving your communication skills. Comments are like little presents we all get to open. So let’s freely give.
Nina Housman says
On first view, there is no difference. However,by putting the practice first,if you’re saying you take the risk first and then preach, or learn something in depth and then preach, there’s a world of difference. It implies you start on the journey first.
Julia Winston says
Nina, thanks for accepting the comment challenge. I like that “take the risk first” then we tell others about it! Good stuff.
Sabine Brandt says
I think we need to do both, practice what we preach and preach what we practice. We gain wisdom by practicing and it is from that position that we gain credibility and become qualified to preach so that others may become better practitioners as well.
Julia Winston says
Great points Sabine! Thanks for taking the challenge
Kai says
Greetings all,
“Preach what you practice” is saying to those out there “don’t be a hypocrite”. Carry out your actions first. Work on your results and then tell everybody how great you got on.
Thinking back to the well known phrase ‘practice what you preach’ is really telling us that a lot of people way back when was doing way too much talking which was not backed up by their actions.
Sadly, it implies that many of us may be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Announcing to the masses what we should do when in fact the same preacher is doing the opposite.
An example of this was this year during UK times of austerity, Ian Duncan Smith a minister who works for department of work and pensions implied he could live off £53 a week in benefits.
To bear in mind this minister receives over £1000 a week salary. I would say he is an example of a person who does not ‘practice what he preaches’ and in fact could be as defined earlier ‘a hypocrite’.
‘Preaching what you practice’ on the other hand is an empowering more inspirational phrase which implies the preacher is honest and truthful in their intentions.
An example of this phrase is a stat I heard today: two thirds of women are likely to become depressed. Have you noticed how many success stories we hear of ‘overcoming depression’ we rarely hear the explicit day to day details of how their battles are going.
and when we do hear them that is there true account of what they have been through,a true to the word “preach what you practice”
Julia Winston says
Kai
Thanks for taking the challenge. I love the way you phrased it. Carry out the action, work on your results, then tell others how you did. I particularly like the work on the results part.
That implies that we need to be intentional about what resultd are eoryh preaching about.
Thanks for adding to the discussion!
Adam Smith says
I’m with Nina on this. Preaching what you practice implies that you have already done the work and know from experience it’s benefits. Practicing what you preach is talking first and then creating movement. Very similar and close when you first look at it, but quite different. Thanks for this great, thought-provoking post, Julia.
Julia Winston says
Adam, thanks for taking the challenge! So how could this apply in leadership? What difference, if any, would it make?
Adam Smith says
It would force leadership to create movement within their teams and themselves to make an impact on others. It would cause them to live out their mission statements. Action shows so much more than words.
Shay Caravella says
I feel as if this quote, “Don’t practice what you preach. Preach what you practice,” relates to every day Finance. In Finance, the one way to earn profits are to practice your everyday roles. Practicing business activity the “old fashion” way leads to great earnings across the board. This includes basic customer service, and incentives for coming back to that business or corporation. Thank you for this great briefing.
Julia Winston says
Shay, thanks for taking the challenge and commenting from a finance point of view. Our finances, personal, and business would be greatly improved if we practiced what we preach about money. Is that what you saying?
Shay Caravella says
Julia, that is it exactly. In this economy, businesses and corporations are always tight for cash. If these business and corporations go back to the fundamentals of business practices (practices of which they first learned and derived from), they can then find themselves with a new approach for boosting their finances.
Jackie Bledsoe, Jr. says
Great post Julia! I love these comment challenges, and the thought-provoking questions you ask.
Let’s see…in regard to relationships I think of it on two levels…the relationship with our spouse, and the relationship with our kids.
I think with your spouse it boils down to the give first, and selfless meeting of needs…kind of like making deposits before withdrawals. If you are loving and respecting your spouse, you are practicing it. Then when you feel some of that is lacking in reverse you can “preach” or discuss it with him/her.
With our kids I’ve heard the saying, “do as I say, not as I do.” We should be doing/practicing first then teaching/preaching to them based on our example of action. Our kids learn more from what is caught (what we do), than what is taught (what we say).
So, although the quotes are very similar I think you have a more powerful “preaching” platform when you are preaching from your action/experience that others can see.
Okay, maybe I confused everybody with this! LOL
Julia Winston says
Jackie,
Thanks for taking the challenge! I wasn’t confused at all by what you said! “You have a more powerful preaching platform when you are preaching from actions others can see”…great point!
Eva says
I still subscribe to “practice what you preach” because I don’t always get it right. I still can learn to do better from my own advice. If I preached what I practiced, my kids would have the sense that everything I did was the preferred course of action, when it isn’t. I prefer to practice what I preach because I’m not perfect, and I’d like my kids, and those who read my blog not to be just like me, but to be better. I even go back and read my blog sometimes to see how I handled certain situations in the past so that I can practice what I preached.
Julia Winston says
Eva, thanks for taking the challenge. You highlight a point no one else has made. As flawed human beings we should strive to be better and practicing what you preach is a guidepost for not only for others but for the preacher as well. Great point!
Daniel Kosmala says
For me this just kind of serves as encouragement to continue what I’ve been doing, especially with my writing. For the most part, everything I write about is derived from personal experience. So I’m preaching what I practice. I think with practicing what you preach, i.e. preaching comes first and then you do it, you can often set yourself up for failure.
I can easily champion the idea of that sleeping only 4-5 hours a night makes you far more productive during the day, but when it comes time to actually do that. When my alarm goes off at 5AM and I throw it against the wall in anger and exhaustion, ain’t no way I’m gonna practice what I was preaching. You want to be able to practice the thing when you preach it and not get caught up in preaching about the “idea of the thing” which is often far better than it seems.
Make sense?
Julia Winston says
Daniel, thanks for taking the challenge. It makes sense to me. Personally, I can relate to wanting to throw the alarm across the room…especially this morning.
It sounds like you recognize that we have to be careful not to get so caught up in the valuing the ideal that we miss the reality.
Reminds me of being in love with the idea of being in love. When you aren’t in love, you fantasize about all the romantic dinners, phrases, and warm feelings. Once you fall in love, you quickly realize that the candle lighted romance also comes with extreme vulnerabiliyt, heartache, and even insecurity.
So by preaching what we practice we keep ourselves grounded. Is that what you are saying?
Daniel Kosmala says
Bingo. When we preach what we practice it also opens our eyes up to thing we may not see when we are practicing. Kind of like a football player going back to watch footage of himself from practice to break down his technique and learn what he can do to improve.
Zero Dean says
If you’re congruent, there is no difference.
But as I’ve written, the results of your actions speak louder than words.
The results of your actions speak louder than words. You can read a million motivational sayings to pump yourself up — or echo them to others until you’re blue in the face — but that won’t change anything unless you take action and consistently change your behavior.
Don’t just read it or preach it and expect it to make a difference in your life. Knowing something is not enough. Knowing what you should do is not enough. You have to use what you know and take action. This is the DO in JUST DO IT.
http://blog.zerodean.com/2012/quotes/the-results-of-your-actions-speak-louder-than-words/
Julia Winston says
Zero Dean,
Thanks for taking the challenge. So far you are the only who says there is no difference. If I understood you correctly, you are saying the practice part is the most important. True? Change only comes by consistent behavioral doing. Great add!
So let throw this out there. If the “doing” is most important, do we need to preach at all?
Zero Dean says
I’m only suggesting there is no difference IF one is CONGRUENT. If one’s actions are in alignment with one’s words (and vice-versa). That’s the ideal, but it’s a rare thing, in my opinion.
My own post is highlighting the fact that many people seek self-improvement through books and blogs and such and may even go so far as to share what they “know”, but unless they actually act in accordance to what they “know” and what they teach/preach, they are not congruent (they don’t truly practice it in a true form).
I think the reason this happens is because one of the most effective ways of learning is by teaching. People often teach/preach what they want to learn, before they have a full grasp or understanding of what it is they are teaching/preaching.
Julia Winston says
Zero Dean,
I think you are spot on about the lack of congruence. Self-help and motivation are only there to help you take the next step…action!
“People often teach/preach what they want to learn, before they have a full grasp or understanding of what it is they are teaching/preaching.”
Yes!!! In fact, most adult learning theorist actually advocate adult learners being able to teach the concept they are trying to gasp as a way of learning it!
In this case, being incongruent is strongly encouraged for the sake of learning.
Thanks for commenting. I love comment challenge days!
Shereka Dunston says
I agree with the other posters: at first glance the sayings look similar but they are completely different.
When it comes to stress management Les Brown’s quote hits very close to home. In order to be an effective coach, one cannot tell others how to manage stress if she has not first practiced the techniques. Clients can determine when a coach practices her advice after the preaching because the coach will have a hard time managing her own stress and convincing the client that certain techniques work. A coach doesn’t merely provide instruction to clients, but the coach is an example of how managing stress will make life happier and healthier.
Julia Winston says
Shereka, thanks for taking the challenge and commenting from the pov (point of view) of a stress management coach.
“A coach doesn’t merely provide instruction to clients, but the coach is an example of how managing stress will make life happier and healthier.” LOVE that!
So you are saying the profession of the “preacher” strongly influences what order the practicing happens? The greatest coaches are those who can say, do this because I did it and it works.
Shereka Dunston says
Julia, that is exactly what I’m saying. It’s hard to preach about something you don’t know about it. As a coach, I think it’s important for your clients to be able to relate to you.
Julia Winston says
I completely agree. As a coach, our client are pay us because we have experience not only practicing our preach, but helping other practice their too. Wow! Great discussion. I love comment challenge days 🙂
Ryan Bonaparte says
Great quote to analyze, Julia.
From the stand point of working your passions, I think that it’s a cycle.
You learn from your experiences and from others and then you put it into practice. You share your experience with others in an effort to help expose others to your passions. So you are preaching what you practice.
But it doesn’t end there. It’s also important to review what you’ve said/done (one of the benefits of being a writer; you’re always on record) and make sure that you are following your values consistently or recognizing that your views have changed. And if not, it’s time to make some course corrections. So you are practicing what you preach.
Julia Winston says
Ryan,
Thanks for taking the challenge and commenting from the POV as one who helps others fine their passion in life (is that better?)
I like the point you make, the quote is really cyclical in nature. No matter which way start out you eventually end up doing the other one.
Talk to someone who wants to find their passion now, how might this quote provide insight as they examine the things they have either already practiced or preached?
Ryan Bonaparte says
I think that for someone searching for their passion, paying attention to reoccurring themes in what you practice and preach are a good start.
Often times what we’re passionate about seep into what we do, whether we are aware or not. In fact, a lot of people find their passion by doing just that. They pay attention to what they are already doing, what they are already talking about and then seeing what they could make out of that.
I think the comment challenge is a great idea, Julia. Keep doing them!
Julia Winston says
Ryan,
You are right. I tell people finding your passion is a matter of paying attention. In I speech I do, I say your passion is their, it is just waiting for you to discover it.
I really enjoy the comment challenges because they give others a chance to speak. Each comment is like its own mini blog post. And I get to know so many different people. I love them! If you have a suggestion for comment challenges, pass it along.
Jenn Herman says
My interpretation is much like Adam’s above. By Preaching what you Practice, you are teaching others what you know and have learned. It’s based on experience. Conversely, if you Practice what you Preach, you are having to match your methods to align with what you have previously said.
From my perspective in social media, I think this is very important. It’s easier (and more reliable) for me to advise people on best practices based on my own experiences, challenges, and results from social media marketing.
I could easily stand up on a soap box and say “do this not that” and people would probably listen. But if I haven’t actually tried that method, and later realize it either doesn’t work, or perhaps there’s a better way to do it, then I have misled countless people. How much credibility will I maintain at that point?
I actually just had a conversation about this last night. I “preach” social interactions on social media. I refuse to get slimy, smarmy sales tactics involved, but instead be true and authentic. I engage in a genuine conversation with all of my fans on all of my pages. Yes, this is the HARD way to do social media. But it’s also grown my brand a group of loyal followers and dedicated brand advocates. I also write blog posts based on new tools or features after I have learned how to use them well so that my audience can best take advantage of the same tools and features. So I can “preach” from experience, based on my practices, and my audience knows it’s something that I do everyday.
Now, there are always exceptions, where sometimes I have to Practice what I’ve Preached. Sometimes new technology or tools are released and I share tips and advice prior to fully investing in the tools myself. This is the reality of a highly fluid industry. But this information is preceded with the caveat that I haven’t tested and tried what I’m “preaching”.
So, yes, I agree, it’s better to Preach what you Practice. But sometimes we all have to do the opposite and Practice what we Preach.
Julia Winston says
Jenn, thanks for taking the challenge and responding from a social media engagement point of view!
I remember when I first started blogging again Eva @asocamomdc warned me of the social media experts who have 10 followers. Her point was, if you are the expert, you should have some evidence that what you are saying is true.
I love the way you personally interact with everyone. I don’t know how you do it, wonder woman powers I guess, but I have learned a lot about how you relate to others by watching you.
Like I asked Shereka, you are saying the profession of the “preacher” will have a significant impact on the practices of the preacher?
Amber says
I am here to co-sign on what’s been said previously. From my perspective, to preach what you practice implies that we must first live happy, healthy, bold and disciplined lives before we can ever begin to help others do the same. If I make it my business to exercise effective communication skills daily, then that’s what will be transparent to my clients and others around me — in my efforts to assist them improve their skills. Great post, Julia!
Julia Winston says
Amber!
Thanks for taking the challenge and commenting from a communication skills point of view. You are so right. Communication is one those disciplines that asks practicers to preach more so than preachers to practice.
Since we are in the same field, I’ll add my two cents here too. Good communicators know that practicing good communication skill is the best preachin’ one can do. Like Zero Dean mentioned, the action speaks louder than the words will ever.
Once you have consistently practice, you can preach with far less tension. To Eva’s point, even when you mess up, and we all do, our track record of consistency will give us grace for a hiccup.
Amber, why do you think communication skill is easier to preach than practice?
Brady McDaniel says
I can totally get behind this statement. While it is important, especially for leaders, to take the advice we are dishing out to everybody else, it is also important for us to share with others. We need to let the people in our lives know what is working and what is not. We need to share the tough lessons that we have had to learn the hard way. We need to help others by spreading our knowledge, experiences and wisdom.
It has been said “Any fool can learn from his own mistakes, but a wise man will learn from the mistakes of others.” Give others a chance to be wise, preach it. Share your mistakes. You’ve earned the right!
Julia Winston says
Brady,
Thanks for taking the challenge. You definitely brought a different spin to the discussion. If I am hearing you correctly, you are saying that by preaching what you practice, especially in the tough times, is not just a right but a duty of responsible leaders? It gives subordinates the chance to learn from the leaders and vice versa?
Leo J. Lampinen says
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it…
Practice what you preach?
or
Preach what you practice?
I’ve met several leaders who have followed the mantra, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
They have never reached their full potential or helped others reach theirs.
This is neither ‘practice what you preach’ nor ‘preach what you practice’.
As leaders we have to be outstanding role models. We can do this better by doing more practicing than preaching. The phrase ‘actions speak louder than words’ still stands true. If you’re mouth is moving but your body isn’t moving to the beat, you need an alignment, else you lose authenticity and eventually trust. It’s a slippery slope that can take you downhill fast. Slippery slopes are hard to climb back up.
Takeaway: Act first and more often. Let your actions speak. Preach only when you need more practice.
Julia Winston says
Leo, thank you for taking the challenge!
As always you bring a new point of view. ” Act first and more often. Let your actions speak. Preach only when you need more practice.” Love that! Simple and profound thoughts.
Diego Hijano says
Julia, love the challenge. Amazing idea which has brought a lot of responses.
I think both phrases are different, though you do not have to choose between one or the other since both serve different purposes.
Practice what you preach it’s a good statement for people that know certain actions, habits or ways of behaving are beneficial but struggle to put them on practice. For example I preach about getting up early (but I do not act) but talk, encourage and recommend it, which ends up helping me. I do this a lot, preach as an encourage for others and me to act.
Preaching before acting for some of us make a commitment. For others, means nothing. How many obese nutritionist or smoker cardiologist will preach you about good habits? LOTS. This is really tricky, many would say they can’t take advice of that person since he/she does not act what she recommends, but that is not the point. At the end of the day the intention is what matters, no whether I act or not in consequence.
My takeaway for this one:
If I preach with good intentions to encourage and serve well, no harms; nobody should question whether
I act or not.
Preach what you practice, feels more natural, convincing and transparent, since people can actually see with actions what your are saying.
But what if you are afraid of preaching what you practice because you it’s not what most of people are saying/doing? What If you are just showing off or bragging what you do, instead of actually preaching to help? then it doesn’t sound so nice.
My takeaway for this one:
It’s awesome to set an example by acting and then preaching about it, if it’s well intended.
Conclusion:
You can do one / the other or both (like me); never condemned any because what matters the most are the intentions behind each action.
Julia Winston says
Diego,
Thanks for taking the challenge!
“I think both phrases are different, though you do not have to choose between one or the other since both serve different purposes.”
Love that!No one has articulated that point like that. We don’t have to choose. They both have merit depending on the circumstances. It is like the “selfish” conversation we had a while back. I dig it!
Thanks for sharing your insight! I love comment challenge post days.
Vincent Russell says
“Don’t practice what you preach. Preach what you practice.” I don’t agree or disagree with this statement. I think it’s almost one in the same.
Practice what you preach. I think for creatives, this statement is true. For professors, who are deemed the experts in their fields, teach students to practice what they have “preached” to them, but who are also proven to have done the same. The mentality of “do as I say, not as I do” should never be something that one lives by. Everyone should put into practice what they are telling others to do. If not, then does that not make them a hypocrite? I hope my analogy made sense. In my mind it does, ha!
Simon Almstrom says
I love the twist of “preach what you practise”. Two things comes to mind when I read that. The first one is about credability. Being able to tell people what to do and showing them that what you say is already do gives credability.
The second thing that comes to mind is that preaching what you practise requires you to think through and formulate what you do. This in itself gives you the chance to evaluate if what you are doing is really good. If I am not proud about what I am doing, would I really preach about it?