“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” - W. Clement Stone (May 4, 1902 – September 3, 2002) businessman, philanthropist, author.

According to the Oxford dictionary, integrity is defined as the state of being whole and undivided as well as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Leaders that have integrity, have consistency of character, are authentic, honor their word and align their values, beliefs and principles with their actions.

Why lead with integrity? The authors J. Canfield, M.V. Hansen and L. Hewitt of “The Power of Focus” challenge people to use the following three-part formula to live life with the utmost integrity;

  1. When you always tell the truth, people trust you.
  2. When you do what you say, as promised, people respect you.
  3. When you make others feel special, people like you.
Would you like to take on this challenge?

What are the impacts when one follows a leader without integrity?
Team members can have an absence of focus and inspiration. Team confusion and instability can arise and produce substandard outcomes.

What are the impacts when one follows a leader with integrity?
Team members can excel because their leader is an inspiring motivating source. Efficiency and superior outcomes can result from such a leadership. What kind of leader are you drawn towards? What type of leader do you choose to be?

Trust is raised through integrity. There is power in one’s word when one accomplishes what one declares. “Walk your talk” is a popular expression that reflects this. Speaking with intention and carefully choosing one’s words are significant. What commitments have you declared and/or accepted? How can you assure that they are followed through? Similarly another expression used in business is “under promise and over deliver”. How many commitments can you undertake and deliver on or before schedule? For every action taken, integrity can serve as one’s inner compass guide.

Leaders are regularly challenged with regards to their level of integrity, thus requiring courage and strength of character. They need to be aware that their decisions incur repercussions and should assume responsibility for them. According to a study, “The Irony of Integrity” by William A. Gentry, Ph.D., Kristin L. Cullen, Ph.D., and David G. Altman, Ph.D., which examined the character strengths of leaders, the following question regarding one’s integrity can be asked; “Is the behavior you are about to engage in, approved by your mother, grandmother or primary school teacher?”

How aware are you of your level of integrity? It is a lifelong developmental process. Challenging oneself to implement the above-mentioned considerations can be supportive. Leading with integrity has substantial advantages not only for leaders and team members, but for all human beings.

Resources;

Canfield, Jack, Mark Victor. Hansen, and Les Hewitt. The Power of Focus; How to Hit Your Business, Personal and Financial Targets with Confidence and Certainty. Deerfield Beach, FL; Health Communications, 2011. Print.

Gentry, William A., Kristin L. Cullen, and David G. Altman. "Irony Of Integrity." http;//www.ccl.org/, 2012. Web. Autumn 2013.
www.ccl.org/leadership/pdf/research/IronyOfIntegrity.pdf