Leading by example is fine, as long as someone is following your example.  Leading by words is appropriate, as long as your words are meant to lead and not "boss".  Leading by both purposeful words and intentional actions is the best.  "Team leaders: You don't always have to say perfect words; just seeing your passion, confidence, and energy can be enough to rally a team."  Unknown 

 "Success trains, failure complains."  Unknown.  "If your only verb is 'complaining' then your only noun will be 'failure'."  Toby Schwarz ... just said that right now!

If you aren't having success, how are you doing with three clear areas.  "There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." Colin Powell 

Your way may be correct but that doesn't mean that others will agree.  No one likes being "told" what to do.  We need to "teach" more and "tell" less.  And in order to "teach" we must be willing to figure out how others want to learn.  The appendix didn't adapt and now it is useless.  "Flexibility is a make-or-break component of motivation, the art of getting people to do what needs to be done."  Bill Parcells 

How often have you heard the phrase "the little things"?  Have you ever pondered what qualifies as a "little thing"?  Size is relative (it is a scientific fact).  Something is only big or little based on what it compared with.  We unfortunately assign value to "things" and then categorize those things as "little" or "big".  The problem is that our valuation system is mostly flawed and typically has no basis in anything other than feeling or our limited experience/judgment.  When we realize that life is filled with simply THINGS that we must/should do in order to be successful, we will have a lot more success. ​"When considering the consequences of not doing the little things, you realize that there are no little things." Brad Stevens