Integrity: An important indicator of ones Character

As a leader, your level of integrity and how you personally exemplify your integral behavior is one of the greatest indicators of your leadership success; not in the amount of fame and fortune you might amass, but in the quality of people who will follow you.

What is integrity? In its simplest form, it’s the intrinsic desire to behave with honesty and trustworthiness by following moral and ethical principles. Integral leaders use these principles when making decisions, interacting with stakeholders, staff, and clients, and thereby earn their trust and respect.

Unfortunately, integrity is becoming more and more of a rare commodity. The lack of integrity is often justified because the action is legal. There is a fine line between what is legal and what is ethical. White lies, betrayal, and favoritism are often tactics used and justified, however just because an action is legal, doesn’t make it ethical. C.S. Lewis said, “The safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” Leaders with integrity are guided by value driven behavior.

In an article published in LinkedIn, Dave Frank[1] is quoted as saying, “People often prioritize results, profits, and power over doing the right thing. This leads to a culture of dishonesty where individuals feel that they can get away with unethical behavior as long as they achieve their goals…In today’s world, where unethical behavior is often rewarded, it’s more important than ever to prioritize integrity in all aspects of our lives.”

Why are we having such a hard time finding leaders, workers, and even friends with great integrity? Why are so many leaders doing the right thing in public and then living a life of selfish indulgence behind closed doors? Researchers point to a world focused on individualism; and so many are focused on themselves, it makes it more difficult to find those who focus on what’s good for the collective community. As leaders, in our homes, in our workplace, and in our communities, it’s therefore essential we conduct ourselves with great integrity. Integral people put the best interests of others first and don’t expect to be recognized or praised because of their actions, it’s just who they are and how they show up in life.

Collectively, we can achieve this for the ECE community by:
Being transparent: In leadership there are always times when holding confidential information is required. As an ethical leader, knowing when to hold confidential information and when to share information that is valued by your constituency is critical to earning the confidence and trust of your followers. Sharing your values, how you make your decisions based on your personal morals and ethical principles, and most importantly, exemplifying your values on a daily basis allows you to be a transparent and an authentic ethical leader. Simply walk the walk of an integral leader.

Own your actions: As leaders, there are times when we make unpopular decisions. When you make an ethical decision, one that you know is not going to be well received, review your decision against your stated personal and/or organizational business values. This will help you communicate to the stakeholders your what and why and allows you not to be persuaded by others to go outside your moral compass.

Admit your mistakes: Just because you are a leader you are not immune to making mistakes. Integral leaders take their mistakes seriously and try to understand why they happened and how to avoid making the same mistakes again. Walking through this process, owning your actions including your mistakes and making them right whenever possible, earns the respect of your followers.

Recognize and reward integrity: Perhaps the best way to highlight your value on integrity is to recognize and reward those in your life that consistently show ethical behavior. What is rewarded is often replicated again in that person as well as in others who are watching.

In summary, find your values, live by them, and surround yourself with people who have the same values. Be mindful of low integrity situations and respectfully remove yourself from them with kindness. Most of all, treat everyone with fairness, dignity, and respect, and above all stay true to your personal integrity.

“There are no moral shortcuts in the game of business or life.
There are, basically, three kinds of people [leaders],
the unsuccessful, the temporarily successful,
and those who become and remain successful.
The difference is character.”

—Jon Huntsman

[1] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/integrity-more-than-honesty-dave-frank/