lead by example

: to guide on a way especially by going in advance

: to direct on a course or in a direction

: to serve as a channel for

: leadership

: example, precedent

: position at the front : vanguard

: acting or serving as a lead (see ²lead) or leader

: a bluish-white soft malleable ductile plastic but inelastic heavy metallic element found mostly in combination and used especially in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and shields against radioactivity — see Chemical Elements Table

: a plummet for sounding at sea

: a usually flat lead roof

: to cover, line, or weight with lead (see ⁴lead)

: to fix (window glass) in position with leads

: to put space between the lines of (typeset matter)

: one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated

: a punishment inflicted on someone as a warning to others

: one that is representative of all of a group or type

: to serve as an example of

: to be or set an example to