Letters On Integrity: Inspiring Ethical Excellence

By Russ Williams

MANAGING COOPERATION: IF YOU ARE LEADING, WHO IS FOLLOWING?

Integrity is the key element in leadership. If a person is not honest in the workplace, fair to people, abusive of privileges, or speaks to be liked rather than to be true, these are demonstrative of the person’s integrity. People are watching and will make a determination on the degree of integrity a leader has.

- David Kramer

We all have experienced people in leadership roles who lacked the integrity to inspire our commitment to be a loyal follower. These are the Do as I say; not as I do leaders. What does their behavior inspire? Such leadership inspires tepid ambivalence.

My first encounter with integrity leadership vs. ambivalence leadership occurred in high school. I had two Coach Bob’s. Bob-in-the-Fall coached Cross Country. He used team sports as a character-building tool. He saw dignity in every kid regardless of their skill. Bob-in-the Spring was the Track Coach. He used coaching to show he was a better athlete than any kid he coached. He tore kids down to build himself up. What were the leadership coaching legacies of these two professionals?

Bob-in-the-Fall had perennial winning Cross Country teams year after year; Bob-in-the-Spring lasted for a couple of years and was gone, producing teams of mediocrity with some fine athletes.

Coach Bob-in-the-Fall communicated the themes of personal discipline and teamwork. Coach Bob-in-theSpring believed you were only of value if you were a top performing athlete…and even if you were…you were never as good an athlete as him.

Wherever practiced…in whatever walk of life…personal and professional integrity leadership inspires trust. It fosters belief in self and the willingness to work together to achieve common goals. Do leaders of integrity carry a resolute Knowing that their character constantly sets the example that inspires others to follow? Yes, absolutely!

I only need to remember two high school coaches to know that Bob-in-the-Fall has been a life inspiration for 50 years. That’s integrity leadership at its finest!

Mission Integrity Action

I pursue integrity leadership this week. In my actions and interactions, I remember that what I do with colleagues, clients, and collaborators reveals more about me than any words coming from my lips. I am known as a leader of integrity by behavior that lifts others up.

Journeying with you...inspiring ethical excellence!

Russ Williams contributes articles on professional growth for readers of California Broker Magazine. He serves as a mentor advisor and offers one on-one professional consultations based on The Clarity Conversation, a 9-Session Self Renewal Consultation focused on overcoming nagging personal-professional challenges to re-claim personal-professional clarity renewing your influence for good at home, at work, and in the community.