You’ve asked for a witty workplace anecdote about “EXAMPLE”—a concept every corporate office claims to love. “Lead by EXAMPLE!” the posters shout from the breakroom, right above the microwave that’s seen more explosions than a Marvel movie set. I’ll never forget my first staff meeting, when our manager, Phil, strode in holding a mug that said “Best Boss (According to This Mug).” He beamed at us and declared, “The best way to succeed here is to set a good EXAMPLE!” We all nodded, inspired. Then he proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes scrolling his phone under the table while we discussed "synergies." During lunch, EXAMPLE Phil demonstrated healthy work-life balance by eating pizza off a report he never read, then forwarding us all a long article about “being present.” It’s true what they say: Some lead by example. Others simply provide an example… of what not to do.