How LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony Lead By Example

If you want to stay successful, you must be willing to make necessary changes--even when it seems like you're at the top of your game.

By losing weight, both basketball stars have sent a very visible and vulnerable 

public message that they're not resting on their lucrative new contracts

Sometimes even successful professionals have to change. Recently, two of the world's greatest basketball players--Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony--dramatically illustrated their willingness to embrace change by modifying their diets. 

James, a four-time MVP and two-time champion, cut carbs and looked visibly skinnier, reports Ben Cohen in the Wall Street Journal. "He cut weight so quickly that he was visibly thinner in photos he shared online this month," he writes. As for Anthony, his trainer, Idan Ravin, told ESPNNewYork.com that the seven-time all-star has been "very meticulous about his diet and his workout" throughout the summer. 

As it turns out, the two stars have far more in common this summer than a weight loss:

• Both lined up big paydays. James signed a 2-year, $41.2-million deal to return to the Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat. Anthony signed a 5-year, $124-million deal to stay with the Knicks. 

• Both received these contracts despite disappointing seasons. James and the Heat lost in the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs. In fact, James notoriously cramped up in the first game of the Finals, and was unable to play in the last four minutes. The Heat lost and the Spurs never looked back. Meanwhile, the Knicks drastically underachieved, amassing a 37-45 record and missing the playoffs. It was the first time in Anthony's career that one of his teams missed the playoffs. 

• Both are getting ready to work with new colleagues. James switched teams entirely. Anthony remained in New York, but the Knicks hired a new coach and revamped the roster following the disappointing 2013-14 season.

James' and Anthony's behavior provides a great window into the concept of leading by example. In business, the overall idea of leading by example is simple: You can't expect or request your employees or partners to behave a certain way if you, yourself, aren't also living up to the standard.

In basketball terms, James and Anthony are being role models for a standard of offseason fitness and team-first focus. In addition to slimming down, neither player opted to play for Team USA in the 2014 FIBA tournament (which is, essentially, the World Cup of basketball). Instead, both stayed focused on preparing for the upcoming NBA season. 

But here's what else they're embracing as role models: vulnerability and accountability. Each player could easily have passed the buck to their teammates, ascribing last year's shortcomings to their scrubby supporting casts. Instead, each took a look in the mirror and realized: I could be in better shape. 

In business, leading by example is also largely about showing your willingness to embrace vulnerability, accountability, and standards of fitness. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinardhas famously led the $540-million company by doing what he believes is the right thing, even if it means looking in the mirror and not liking what his company looks like. Last year, he told Liz Welch about one way Patagonia needed to get in better shape: 

Recently, animal-rights activists in Germany accused us of getting our down from geese that were being live plucked. We sent two people to Hungary to check it out. They said, "The good news is, we're not live plucking geese. The bad news is, the geese are being force-fed for foie gras." We didn't cover that up or spin it--we told the truth and found another source of down. It doesn't work any other way. Plus, we want other companies to be more transparent. The only way to lead is by example.

The overall idea is simple: You'll be more respected as a leader if your own organization--or your own body--is in order. And the act of humbling yourself, and admitting you need to shape up, is all the more potent when it comes from a living legend who's already earned plenty of money--be it Chouinard, James, or Anthony. It's more inspirational that way too.

The Spurs are the defending champions, but James and Anthony are clearly primed to bring it next season. Their teammates won't be far behind. 

From Inc. Magazine