Character is the foundation of
leadership. Studies show that character, or
integrity is the trait people most desire from their
leaders. According to a survey of 1,300
senior executives, integrity is the human quality most
necessary to business success.
When people have integrity, their
words and deeds match up. They are who they are, no
matter where they are or who they’re with. People with
integrity are not duplicitous or merely pretending.
This is critical.
If you lie and cheat; blame others for
your shortcomings, lack compassion for others; only care
about yourself; if you are disingenuous—you can never
be a real leader. Because that is the essence of
leadership—it is about caring about people, wanting to
help people be more than they are today. It’s about
honesty, authenticity, integrity. When most people think of a
leader, they think of these things.
People will
forgive occasional mistakes based on ability, especially
if they can see that you are still growing as a leader.
But they won’t trust someone who has slips in
character. People will tolerate mistakes, but if you
violate their trust, you will find it very difficult to
ever regain their confidence.
In order to make a difference and
become a leader, you must
make sure your authenticity, integrity, and your
humility is in check. When followers sense that one
of these things is out of whack, this is very important,
the best employees will leave you, the worst employees
will follow you and the rest of the employees will
simply navigate the system and pick up a pay check.
This whole issue regarding authenticity, integrity and humility of self as it relates
to leadership is absolutely crucial.
Most politicians, most preachers, most
potentates who stumble, stumble because they were not a
good and faithful steward of one of these areas:
authenticity, integrity, and humility.
If
people question these things about you, you are not
going to be able to keep the right people around you and
we cannot Make Extraordinary Things Happen all by
ourselves.
PMETHODS:
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Always, always,
always tell the truth - even when it is easier to
lie. |
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Beware of people that
lie about "little" things because if they will lie
about the little things, they'll lie about the big
things and simply cannot be trusted to lead others.
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If there is something
unfavorable going on at your organization, tell your
people the truth and tell them early. Anything
else is disrespectful. |
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Don't sugarcoat.
People are smart; they will see right through the
sugar. They are adults; they can handle the
truth. |
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Always be sincere.
People can detect a phony in a New York minute.
If you think you're fooling them, you are wrong. |
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Fess up to your
shortcomings; people are well aware them.
Trying to hide them or pretending you don't have any
is just plain silly. |
PMETH Principles
