As
leaders, if we do not stay extremely diligent, our integrity can “fade”!
Recently I was reading article in the Chronicle of Higher Education regarding
corrupt practices in college admissions. A doctoral student by the name of
Nathan Harris who is studying at the University of Michigan described the
phenomenon and reasons for this as “ethics fade”. This got me thinking out loud
about how very successful leaders can at some point find themselves embroiled
in controversy due to their misconduct.
Harris’s research
asserts that ethical failings are created and sustained based upon a variety of
internal factors such as a misdirected desire to please, self-deception, and
rationalizations. External factors also play a role including environmental
press, lower revenues (or the desire to create much higher ones quickly!), and
competition or other market forces. All of this combined impacts the individual
simultaneously and starts to wear down their moral standards.
Accordingly, most of
the time when we fail as leaders with integrity, it is not due to some sudden
event. Rather it is due to a slow but steady erosion of our ethical principles
or “fade”. The point being all this requires is for leaders to become
complacent. A little compromise here or a short cut there begins to start us in
ethical free fall. Sadly the eventual result will be losing all credibility as
a leader. In fact, your leadership will dissipate to the point that it is no
longer exists among your team and colleagues. You can no longer be trusted,
your words and actions are at odds with each other, and best intentions come up
empty. So what should we do?
- Stay diligent in identifying and acting on our values
- Question the questionable decision or request
- Know your non-negotiables with the work, home, social, and spiritual parts of our lives
- Speak up when you believe that your organization is heading down the wrong path
- Be prepared to make a change if the organization or its leaders will not change
Now all of this is
much easier said than done but what is more important to you? Candidly, I have
left positions in my career due to these very issues. It was inconvenient and
challenging but I had decided what was more important to me. It was more
important that I stood in integrity among others even when it was unpopular to
do so.
As always, if I can help you
Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would love to hear from you. Also, as
a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact
information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring
initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical
in order to add value to your organization!
Yours
in Leadership,
Bill
Faulkner
Co-Founder
– Out Loud Strategies
Independent
Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team TM
Email = bill@outloudinc.com
