Which competency is demonstrated by displaying character and modeling expected standards of duty, performance, personal appearance, professional bearing, and ethics?

• A. Communicates
• B. Prepares Self
• C. Stewards the profession
• D. Leads by Example

Answer: (D)

Leading by example means you demonstrate the standards you expect others to meet through your own behavior. When you display character and model duty, performance, personal appearance, professional bearing, and ethics, you’re not just following rules—you’re showing others what those standards look like in action. That kind of conduct builds trust and credibility, and it invites others to rise to the same level because they see it lived out consistently.

Other competencies focus on different aspects: communicating emphasizes how you convey information; preparing self centers on your own readiness; and stewards the profession involves upholding and advancing the field. But modeling the expected standards through your own actions is what truly embodies leading by example.