For Leaders your ONLY Ground is the HIGH Ground!

The more I study and think about the PRACTICE or APPLICATION of leadership, the more I am convinced that the only “ground” a leader can firmly stand upon is the HIGH GROUND of INTEGRITY. No matter what other people may tell you, there is just NOT an alternative place to be. However, this often gets me thinking out loud about HOW as leaders can we maintain our integrity in a business, political, and social environment that constantly challenges not to!

First, there are many definitions of leadership integrity but author C.S. Lewis defined it as “doing the right thing, ALL the time, even when no one is looking . . . especially when no one is looking!” The question still remains, however, is HOW do we do this? What does leadership integrity look like? Unfortunately, we have fewer and fewer good examples among elected officials, professional athletes, celebrities, and others that used to be our society’s role models. And since they can no longer be depended upon to do so, it is therefore up to people like you to fill the leadership void!

 “Integrity is doing the right thing, ALL the time, even when no one is looking . . . especially when no one is looking!” - C.S. Lewis

I recently read a great article by Robin Amster writing for Success Magazine that helps clarifies some of those questions with some very important questions created by attorney Don Phin. In reflecting upon your own actions or leadership practices:

• Are you willing to verbally share your beliefs and speak up when you feel something is unethical?
• Does your conduct diminish or elevate you?
• Do you want others to follow your example or mimic your behaviors?
• Do you “own” ALL your decisions and actions or do you excuse or minimize them?
• What if your daily life was one big Reality TV show, would you be comfortable with what others see?

Robin goes on to share some practical strategies for building and demonstrating integrity that demonstrates to YOURSELF and OTHERS that you stand on the high ground!

• Keep Promises to anyone to whom you make one. If for some reason you cannot do so, apologize and explain why.
• Keep Appointments and be on time. One quick way to let others know that they of little importance to you is to miss an appointment or be late.
• Keep Commitments by evaluating beforehand your ability and willingness to do so.
• Keep it Simple by being very clear when you CAN or CANNOT do something.
• Keep it Professional in all communications. This pertains to the language you use, the tone you set, and the timeliness of responses (I can never understand vendors or individuals who do not return phone calls or emails!)

At the end of the day, this all comes down to the quality and strength of your character. Don’t misunderstand me in thinking this is always easy. It is not and I can share with you that standing on the high ground has sometimes cost me short term gains or advantages. But any loss was minimal when compared to how I felt about myself later. The point being is that you may not need to demonstrate moral courage now, but some day you will. THAT is the time and place when we need you to be brave . . . long after the impact of any blog, teaching, etc. has worn off and you find yourself in a moment of truth when you have the choice to take the high ground or not. It is you we are depending on!

As always if I can help you and the people you associate with Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would invite you to email me or to visit my website below and see if any of the training or coaching experiences I offer can provide an impact! 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

Principal Consultant – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

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