Integrity is one of those words or catchphrases that gets thrown around excessively, especially in connection with leaders and leadership. We like to hear that leaders have integrity—whether they are business leaders, political leaders, community leaders, church leaders, or anyone.
Integrity matters to us and I would venture to guess that most of us consider ourselves to be persons of integrity. At the very least, we certainly don’t think of ourselves as bad, corrupt, or sleazy. Maybe we occasionally do something that others might consider “questionable,” but bottom line: we’re pretty good. Right?
What Integrity Doesn’t Look Like
In a recent article for LinkedIn Pulse, author Mary Jane Mapes noted that when leaders don’t have integrity, when they don’t fulfill their promises, people know it:
“[If you] use company materials for your personal use, take extended lunch breaks, pad your expense account, use company time to pay your bills or search the Internet for vacation spots, guaranteed, people know it. If you don’t keep your word or if you bad-mouth those you supervise, people know it. If you fail to give credit where due, invade people’s privacy, or blame others to cover up your own mistakes, people know it. But perhaps best (or worst) of all—fake, phoney, or honest—you know it.”
The First Step Toward Integrity
Did you notice her point at the end? Yes, other people will realize it if you are not a person of integrity. But above all, you know it; the person in the mirror knows it. Regardless of how well you manage to hide your indiscretions, you will always know what kind of leader you are. The first step toward integrity is pleasing the person in the mirror.
“At home or in business, you know if you tell the truth, keep your promises, honor your commitments, and deal honestly and fairly with others. You also know if you are duplicitous and dishonest.”
For this reason, it is essential for leaders today to lead with integrity from the inside out. Continually strive to be above reproach in all areas of your life, especially in the leadership roles you take on within your career. A leader living above reproach is an effective leader who others will follow.
Question: What does integrity mean to you and how do you actively live it out? Are you happy with the actions of the person in the mirror?
