Onward we carry ourselves into a new day. With us we carry the lessons we've learned which we can revisit at will via these links...
Leadership 199 / Trait 7 of 14: Initiative
Leadership 199 / Trait 6 of 14: Enthusiasm
Leadership 199 / Trait 5 of 14: Endurance
Leadership 199 / Trait 4 of 14: Decisiveness
Leadership 199 / Trait 3 of 14: Courage
Leadership 199 / Trait 2 of 14: Bearing
Leadership 199 / Trait 1 of 14: Dependability
We're halfway through this series, which means we have lots of learning to do yet. Therefore, let us plunge into the power of our eighth trait…
Leadership 199 / Trait 8 of 14: Integrity
Defined: Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.
Discovered: Let us start in on understanding this trait by visiting this definition backwards. Honesty, is something I will go out on a limb and proclaim that everyone acknowledges that honesty is a trait any leader must possess. No? I agree with my proclamation, I have to else I've been dishonest here; yet while I agree I will tell you now that honesty is not one of the 14 leadership traits.
What? How can that be you say? Look back up at the list above of the traits we've discussed thus far. Take a moment, I'll be right here when you scroll back down... I know, if only scrolling burned measurable calories. OK, having revisited those traits let us ask ourselves this question; Can any of those traits be successfully put into practice if we are not first honest with ourselves in choosing to lead with them?
Leadership is not something we can take on half-hearted. "Do or do not... there is no try", as Master Yoda would say. In short, if we are not honest in our endeavors, either with ourselves or with others, we will not succeed at them in the end.
Living with integrity is certainly dependent upon be honest. But integrity is not just about being honest.
Character, you don't have to know a person for very long to know whether there character is righteous or otherwise. Righteous meaning to be committed to doing what they believe to be right, right by themselves and others. It is one thing to want what is right, another to do what is right. If our character is to do what is right, we are leading with integrity.
Morals, ah discussion/debate on morality sure can be a sticky-wicket. So lets limit our thought here to what it is about our morals that is essential to leading ourselves to success. To decide what we want to succeed at we first have to know what we want or who we want to be. Or more specifically, how do we want to live? If we can answer that question and come away with an answer gives us a clear picture of how we want to look and why, how we want to conduct yourself and why; we then know where our morals should be set to lead with integrity and succeed.
Da-Point: If we are honest, if we believe our mission to be right and are willing stand up for it's purpose; then we are leading with integrity.
When did you last take time to truly know your character, your moral code?
Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!
Posts
Sometimes I am honest and it turns bad - fast!
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, honest with ourselves is the best way to be!
Patrick, hi!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI havent been by in a while! I love the Leadership series of posts, I am always looking for books on cd to listen to during my daily commute. Did you get this series from a book? which one? I looked at your first day and didn't see a reference
drop me a line if you can :)
Karla
iamkarlam@yahoo.com
We should at least be honest with ourselves. Nothing can be gained if we aren't brave enough to face the naked truth in our own hearts. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeletePatrick, congrats on your good workout and setting a good example for your son. I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteHonesty is something I value very highly though sometimes pay for it dearly.
What is moral can be a great subject for discussion as those change with times and settings. I think living by "do onto others..." is one maxim to live by that is timeless.
Good post, thank you.
I think that when we lie to others, it's often to convince ourselves of something. I also think that lying by omission (for instance, disappearing from blogland because we've fallen off the wagon) is avoidance and omission and counts as not being honest with ourselves or others who may be holding us accountable.
ReplyDeleteI have to write a number of recommendation letters for students as they move beyond college. I have always held the highest distinction for a student that I can describe as having integrity. Not ever student is worthy of this descriptor. To me having integrity is one of the most valued human characteristics.
ReplyDeleteHi Patrick, great workout, I have to catch up on your posts. I had been having trouble with blogger
ReplyDeletebut was able to get on it today. I am going to start at the beginning. loved this post, so much truth. thank you. have a great weekend.
I love "Do or do not--there is no try" that may be my new motto! Great post on the trait of integrity. I pray for the ability to maintain mine everyday.
ReplyDeleteKeelie