You know, it was once said by the great philosopher Anonymous that integrity is what happens in the dark. The third essential of The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership is: act with integrity at all times.
My definition of integrity is this: integrity is doing what is right because it’s right – every time, whether anyone is looking or not. Significant leaders are intentional about acting with integrity at all times. That includes but is not limited to the way they conduct themselves in their professional and personal lives. It includes the choices they make and how they treat others. It includes financial decisions and consistency in commitments, among many other things.
You see, a team member doesn’t have to fully understand a leader’s vision. A team member doesn’t have to agree with all of the leader’s decisions. In fact, a team member doesn’t even really have to like the leader. But a team member must trust their leader, or they will never allow themselves to be led. Acting with integrity at all times requires vigilance and thought. But it’s the only way that trust can be built and sustained. There are 1000s upon 1000s of individual ethical choices that a leader has to make every day, seemingly in the dark. But each of them needs to be guided by the principle of doing what is right – because it’s right, every time whether anyone is looking or not. Essential number three of The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership: Act with Integrity at all Times.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.
