The Principles of Personal Leadership: A Path to Transformational LeadershipPrinciple #4: Model High Performance—With Purpose

Inspired by “Accountability Now!” by Mark Sasscer

In leadership, actions matter more than directives. It’s one thing to outline expectations but far more powerful to embody them. Modeling high performance means demonstrating the behaviors, mindset, and focus that support long-term success.

Leadership rooted in personal example carries weight. It creates a standard people can trust. When excellence is anchored in purpose, not performance alone, it sends a clear message: this work matters.

Leadership Begins with Presence, Not Position

Effective transformational leadership comes from how you show up. Every conversation, every decision, every response becomes a signal. People notice what you emphasize, how you handle setbacks, how you treat your colleagues, and whether your words match your actions.

This is the essence of Principle #4: Model High Performance—With Purpose. It invites us to lead with clarity, to show others what’s possible through how we operate each day.

Over the past 25+ years in healthcare leadership, I’ve seen firsthand how culture evolves when high standards are modeled consistently. Not through perfection but through steady, values-driven leadership. Especially in the hard moments. Especially when no one’s watching.

The Example We Set Becomes the Culture We Build

When leaders act with purpose, they influence more than productivity, they shape norms. The example you set becomes the unspoken rulebook. If you prepare thoroughly, others will too. If you lead with fairness, you give others permission to do the same. If you admit missteps, you create a space where growth is possible.

As Mark Sasscer writes in Accountability Now!:

“When you model the values and performance you expect, you don’t have to push people to act—you invite them to rise.”

This principle challenges us to lead from alignment. When your behavior reflects your personal values and your organization’s mission, you establish trust and foster a culture of shared accountability.

From Silent Expectations to Visible Standards

People rarely follow words alone; they follow what you demonstrate. Your habits become permission for theirs.

• Show up prepared? You reinforce preparation.

• Ask thoughtful questions? You encourage curiosity.

• Admit mistakes? You make growth safe.

• Uphold standards even when it’s hard? You show that integrity matters, even when it’s inconvenient.

These behaviors aren’t part of a job description—they define culture. And culture is what drives sustainable results.

Excellence Is a Team Sport

Modeling high performance means creating the conditions for others to thrive. Strong leadership lifts the entire system. Below is how you can start building that environment:

• Lead with Clarity. Make expectations visible. Define success in specific terms so your team can align their actions and decisions with what matters.

• Prioritize Purpose. Tie daily tasks to the “why” and help people understand how their work supports the broader mission. When people find meaning in their role, they shift from obligation to ownership.

• Encourage Collaboration. High performance should never be exclusive. Encourage collective problem-solving and shared wins. A culture of “we” outperforms a culture of “me.”

• Demonstrate Accountability. Show others that accountability starts at the top. When leaders own outcomes, especially the tough ones, it builds credibility and resilience.

• Honor Substance Over Optics. Doing the right thing quietly is more powerful than talking about it loudly. Leaders who act with authenticity earn trust that lasts.

  
  

Questions to Ponder

• What behaviors do I model on my best days—and what do they signal to my team?

• Am I demonstrating the values I expect from others—or just talking about them?

• How does my leadership make it easier or harder for others to perform at their best?

• In moments of stress, do I model grace under pressure—or pressure without grace?

• Is excellence something people pursue because of how I lead—or in spite of it?

Final Thoughts

Modeling high performance means aligning intention with action. It doesn’t require perfection, but it does call for consistency, presence, and purpose.

In the end, people remember what you do, not just what you say. When your actions reinforce your values, your leadership becomes more than a role. It becomes an example others can build on.

Mark Sasscer’s framework reminds us that leadership is earned in how we show up not once, but over time. The good news? Every day gives us another chance to model what matters most. This is what transformational leadership looks like: performance rooted in purpose, driven by values, and multiplied through example.

Acknowledgment

This series draws inspiration from Mark Sasscer’s Accountability Now! Living the Ten Principles of Personal Leadership. His work continues to influence my thinking and serve as a foundation for those of us committed to leading with clarity and intention.

As always, I welcome your reflections. Feel free to leave a comment or connect with me at scott@drscottwolf.com. I’d love to hear your perspective.