Why is integrity the foundation of effective leadership?
Integrity is indeed the cornerstone of leadership character commitments. It is what you do when no one is watching; it’s doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage, it is about keeping your word. Integrity is doing what you say you are going to do every single time. It further encourages you to be honest even though telling the truth will have consequences.
Here is how integrity leads to effective leadership.
Trust Building
“In order to be a leader a man must have followers, a man must have their confidence.”
– Dwight Eisenhower
The ultimate quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an organization.
If a man’s associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. “The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.”
For people to follow, they must be able to trust in leadership. Leadership is more than obtaining a title on a door. To lead well a leader must have integrity which instills trust and security.
High Influence Value
People reflect on what they see and observe. A leader of integrity can influence those that follow by exampling honor in life. Your ability to influence is not just based on skill or intelligence; it’s based on trust. Trust requires integrity, which is the foundation of real and lasting influence. As John Maxwell states, “Leadership is influence, nothing more or nothing less.”
Building Reputation
“Image is what people think we are while integrity is what we really are.”
– John Maxwell
Leaders that work hard at projecting the right image instead of developing the integrity necessary to sustain effective leadership do not go too far. An image speaks to the appearance of one’s leadership while integrity identifies the reality of one’s character in leadership.
Doing the right thing when no one is looking is the mark of leading with integrity. If you are not a person of integrity — your team will not trust you, vendors will not believe you, and customers will not support your business.
How to lead with Integrity?
A leader cannot lead where he has not been. One can only lead others as far as his furthest point of achievement. Everyone has the desire to be successful, but only a leader of integrity will have the discipline and determination needed to be successful. There are no shortcuts in the process of gaining integrity. Embracing and leading with integrity helps a leader be credible, not just clever.
Lacking integrity is not something that can be hidden. Sooner or later the insincerity of the hypocritical leader emerges revealed by questionable character. Eventually, the leader is exposed for what he is and as a result, he loses credibility.
Integrity is not stumbled upon accidentally. Integrity in leadership is the result of embracing the journey to always walk in the light. When we live our lives with integrity, it means that we let our actions speak for who we are and what we believe in. Living, working, and leading in integrity means that we don’t question ourselves. When we listen to our hearts and do the right thing, life becomes simple and we live in peace. Our actions are now open for everyone to see and that is a good, good thing.
The collective commitment to lead with integrity at Etech has been the foundation that has propelled us through the toughest of times. Here, we do not strive for being perfect always, rather we focus on being consistent in our journey to always do the right thing even when doing the right thing is not easy.
Want to become part of a team that works with a depth of integrity? If yes, then come join us.