According to Michael Ray, Integrity is one of the top attributes of a great leader. It is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. It connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances. People who live with integrity are incorruptible and incapable of breaking the trust of those who have confided in them. Every human is born with a conscience and therefore the ability to know right from wrong. Choosing the right, regardless of the consequence, is the hallmark of integrity.
It has been discovered that in today’s world, we often look for faster ways of getting things done. The magic of technology makes this possible. And, there are all kinds of ways to cut through processes when they start getting in the way of progress. One thing we can never afford to compromise however is the integrity with which we conduct ourselves.
Every good leader in one way or the other has courage, strength of character and honesty. Many leaders fizzle out in a short while especially when they lack the key skills listed above even though they are skilled, brilliant and intelligent. This doesn’t matter in the absence of the above.
We have heard of great leaders who have risen to the pinnacle of success but with a loud thud, fell out because of their terrible desires and lack of altruism. This is terribly appalling.
There is a need for leaders to embrace integrity and character, this is necessary to keep them standing tall in the midst of challenges. We must recall that skills might take one to the pinnacle of success but what keeps one standing tall is character. Leaders must always tell the truth at all time. Their followers’ must be able to bank on their words at every point in time just like Abraham Lincoln (probably the best known US president for having integrity) who promoted the importance of integrity and character in great leadership said: “Great leadership is a product of great character. And that is why character matters.”
Skill and talent can take us only so far. To travel the rest of the way, we must make sure we bring with us a large measure of honourable intent, concern for the welfare of others and the willingness and courage to do what is right, even when it means giving up something we want very badly. That’s what makes it so hard.
