There are as many models for leadership as there are leaders.

You can find courses on leadership that talk about how to lead from behind, from beside and just about any place else.

However, I would think that most leaders would agree that leading by example is part of any leadership strategy.

Most of us are no longer willing to accept a leader that tells us to “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Once again, Mayor Stephen Mandel has clearly shown he is willing to lead by example.

He has chosen not to take an increase in his salary. And to his credit, this is something he has done before.

No one is going to think that his refusal to take an additional few thousand dollars is going to make a difference to the city’s finances.

Even if all the members of council follow suit, it is not going to reduce this year’s tax increase or keep utility fees from going up.

His action does, however, send a clear message to Edmontonians that he understands that these are still tough economic times and very few of us are going to get the kind of salary increase he was in line for.

One could argue that even with no salary whatsoever, we are unlikely to see Mandel on the street with a sign that says “Will mayor for food.” It is a symbolic gesture, but it is one worth making. I have not always agreed with what the mayor has done and wants to do, but in this case, he deserves kudos from all of us.

On another note entirely, I think it’s time for Edmonton’s traffic circles to become a thing of the past.

I think that if they are used properly, they do a good job of keeping traffic moving. That’s what they were designed to do.

But they need to be used properly and such is not often the case.

People just don’t seem to understand how the traffic is intended to flow and who has the right of way and who doesn’t.

The Bonnie Doon circle is poorly lit and at night it is difficult to see a pedestrian who wants to cross the street.

This is particularly true when you are on the inside lane.

We know we can make a traffic circles work with traffic lights.

It’s time to do that before we read about yet another fatality.