One of the greatest qualities a leader can possess is integrity. I often tell leaders “your gift will take you places that your character can’t keep you.” There will be situations that will test your character and how you respond in those situations shows everyone who you really are.
3 leadership principles on integrity
1. Do what you say. This is a simple principle but boy does it catch many leaders in a web. If you say you’re going to do something- DO IT. It’s just that simple. Your employees are watching what you say.
2. Be sincere- the Greek meaning “judged by sunlight; pure”. This word was used to describe the integrity of the work of a Potter. A sincere Potter would make sure that his vessels were free from cracks and imperfections before selling them. The deceitful Potters didn’t care about the cracks and imperfections. They only wanted to sell more pottery, therefore they would fill the cracks with hot wax, paint it and sell it. The only way a buyer could tell if the vessel was “sincere” was to hold it up to the sunlight as the light would reveal any cracks filled with wax. As a leader, ask yourself, “if my employees or my colleagues held up my character to the sunlight, would it be “sincere”, free of cracks or would they see that I have “filled in” my character with lies or taken credit of the work done by others?”
3. Be consistent- Be the same person in the “public eye” of your team and behind closed doors with other leaders. Don’t be double minded. Don’t say one thing to your team and another to your colleagues.
