
Meet Dr. Carleta Alston
LEADER IN TEGRITY MATTERS
The primary reason that leadership integrity matters is because followers depend on it, and they perceive good leadership by good character. For many leaders, doing what is right and best is a natural response. They inherently believe that good comes out of doing what is right.
However, integrity is not a characteristic that all leaders possess. In fact, some leaders are gravely challenged when it comes to making decisions with honest intentions. Yes, they may quickly justify their actions and claim it is for the greater good, but in reality, it may mask deception and manipulation.
Why does having integrity matter?
By definition, integrity means having honesty and moral principles. If someone were to dissect the word integrity, it would display the word "in" meaning internal to the individual and the word "grit" meaning having the fortitude to stand up for what the leader believes.
Internal grit is powerful, and if a leader does not have it, he risks losing on multiple levels. Not only will it jeopardize trust relationships, it will diminish the integrity or wholeness of organization. It can also create a hostile work environment. Is it worth it? Perhaps not, which is why it is so important to highlight the benefits of leading with integrity.
BENEFITS
Leadership integrity has several benefits, including:
Here are a few important things to remember during a difficult conversation:
- Building trust with team members and stakeholders
- Creating a positive work culture based on honesty and accountability
- Encouraging ethical behavior and decision-making
- Inspiring loyalty and commitment from employees
- Enhancing the reputation and credibility of the organization
- Improving overall performance and productivity.
A leader lacking integrity can become better as long as the desire to change is greater than pull to remain the same. Start by being integral with oneself.