Leadership with Integrity

Hello Leaders

 Welcome to this post.

 In Transformational Leadership I made mention of trust-based relationships with your employees or people. And for a good reason...what is the basis of any healthy relationship? Trust! And how can one build on trust without honesty...more than that, integrity! 

 The link between integrity and trust cannot be overestimated in the leader-employee relationship. At the end of the day, Long says executive leaders are judged on character and competence. “Character includes integrity and signals if the leader is friend or foe.”

 Integrity is one of the top attributes of a great leader. It is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. It connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances. People who live with integrity are incorruptible and incapable of breaking the trust of those who have confided in them. Every human is born with a conscience and therefore the ability to know right from wrong. Choosing the right, regardless of the consequence, is the hallmark of integrity.

 Enrique Fiallo: There are many things you can lack and still steer clear of danger. Integrity isn’t one of them. Establish a set of sound ethics policies, integrate them into all business processes, communicate them broadly to all employees, and make clear that you will not tolerate any deviation from any of them. Then live by them.

 Dwight D. Eisenhower: "The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office."

Why is integrity such an important leadership trait?

People want to work for a leader who is ethical, and will in-turn be loyal. They know that a leader that leads with integrity, will treat them right (fair) and will do what is best for the business.

So leaders need to realise that their words, actions, decisions and methodologies help to create the company’s true values and its culture.

How do I develop/display integrity as a leader?
  • Be honest, and treat people well. Praise other's contribution. Do not exaggerate successes
  • Leaders need to hold themselves accountable not just to their superiors but also to their peers and staff. Similarly, they must treat everyone fairly, regardless of a person’s standing in the organisation.
  • Consider conducting a self-audit. Start by thinking about others you admire. What makes them admirable? Which of their attributes do you want to emulate, and how successful are your efforts to do so? If you find you’re lacking in an area, try to determine why.
  • Find out how others view you. It’s one thing to ponder how we think we’re perceived, but quite another to know for sure. Talk to your manager, employees and network contacts outside of the company about what you do well and what you can do better.
  • Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with your staff. If you make a mistake, say so and do all you can to fix it. Your employees don’t expect you to be perfect, and you can alienate them if you are unable to admit fault when things go wrong.
Some of these points can drive the 'Ego' to insanity, but it is worth it. I could've been a much better leader when I was less experienced, if I had these 5 core points to guide me.

Let me know what you think on this topic.


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