As I watched the debates last night – and during most of this political season – the subject of personal integrity has come up over and over again on both sides of the aisle. Integrity is everything, especially when it comes to leaders. People may not realize when they see integrity, but we all know when it’s absent. In my own life, integrity in leadership has always been important; I’ve seen examples of great integrity and also the lack thereof. Ultimately, personal integrity was at the heart of why I chose to leave the company I worked at for more than twenty years. It’s that important.
What exactly does integrity mean? Here is the definition from Google:
in·teg·ri·ty inˈteɡrədē/ noun
1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
“he is known to be a man of integrity”
| synonyms: | honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals,righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity,truthfulness, trustworthiness |
As we reflect on what we heard last night, and as we move on from here, below are some thoughts to consider on this most important leadership quality:
Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity. –W. Clement StoneIntegrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. ~Chris KarcherWe learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square. –Michelle ObamaAlways vote for a principal, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost. –John Quincy Adams
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