Often leaders feel like this little structure that will be subject to Henry's destruction when opposition gives criticism for new ideas, plans or goals. What reduces the opposition's criticism? What gives followers confidence to follow the leader's plan despite the criticism? What enables a leader to move forward with confidence in his or her plan?
The answer to all three questions is found in integrity! Integrity, as I like to define it, is the consistency in one's character. A person may be patient but when that person demonstrates patience continually, this reveals there is integrity in this character quality. Long term demonstration of qualities reveals strength or integrity of the person's character.
Dwight Eisenhower said, "In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence, the supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose."
Integrity gives a leader the following:
1. TRUST - If a leader gains an ear of a follower, the leader has a voice but if a follower trusts a leader, the leader can expect action and devotion. Integrity, or consistency, gives a leader the platform to be trusted.
2. INFLUENCE - If a leader leads with integrity, people trust the leader and opens himself up to being influenced. Leaders need more than attention to carry out a vision. Leaders need to pass this vision on to the followers which is influence!
3. CLEAR CONSCIENCE - With integrity, a leader avoids harmful, offensive mistakes. This in turn keeps a clear conscience, one void of guilt and embarrassment. With a clear conscience, the leader has freedom to lead knowing others are more likely to follow.
Integrity, I believe, may be the most important quality can develop. Without integrity, all the other aspects of leadership will be leaning on broken crutches!
Integrity is very important in being a leader. Without integrity i fell like a leader can never truly been seen as a real leader, nor be respected. It helps keep poeple in line and balances other aspects of a leader.
ReplyDeleteI agree that integrity is something allnleaders need to have because without it there is no leader there is someone who wants power and a title. Integrity makes a leader people will want to follow because they trust, and know the true person there is no wall between leader and follower. If you have integrity I think you naturally have some other leadership qualities. Integrity is a grat leadership quality and I think your values develop integrity.
ReplyDeleteI see your point.Integrity is really important if you wanna be leader,and throw years and years of learning you will get all of those 3 great things:trust,influence and clear consience but most important thing is that you cant loose yourself in process of coming there and keep that forever.
ReplyDeleteYou need to have trust of your followers and make them belaive them,and you need to influence people around you and make them respect you and follow your vision !
Integrity is a great leadership quality and you need to be the one who will show that spark shine !
I always thought of integrity as a good only thing, but i guess its nuetral. other than that, the only thing I can think to coment on, is Whos Dwight Eisenhower? I know iv heard of him, but i just cant think of why. its kinda annoying.
ReplyDeleteJeremiah, I really hope you are joking. Anyways, I agree that in order to be a good leader you have to have integrity. Integrity helps people see the real person in you and not see you as a boss or manager. If people know who you really are it will be easier for them to trust and follow you. Integrity also helps build relationships because people know you for who you are and not what your title is.
ReplyDeleteJeremiah, google him. Integrity is big in leadership because without it people won't have a reason to trust you. The more times that your integrity is seen, the easier it will be for people to forgive you when you mess up.
ReplyDeleteCome at me bro!
Integrity is needed to become a great leader. If you are consistent in your character, you will find that only good things come from it. You develop trust which is the most important thing to gain from followers. If you gain trust from one person, then that trust will be found in others. Then before you know it, you have a crowd that will follow. Imagine what will blossom from trust!!
ReplyDeleteIntegrity is very important in a leader. A leader has to show consistently to have follower and be a successful leader. If you aren't consistent it is kind if hard to know, as a follower, what you actually believe. Integrity is sort of the bases of a leaders values and views on character and leadership.
ReplyDeleteIntegrity is needed by all great leaders and some successful ones have this. If you are very trustworthy and have good character you can go far in wherever you are going. Influencing people help give you followers that will be there too help you at all times. A clear conscience is very important because if you fail, followers will know you will bounce back up, and avoid very bad mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI think a leader has to have followers but they also follow other people. How do they get inspiration to lead without being inspired by someone else. I think that trust, influence, and clear conscience is really important because if they don't have that then they probably won't be a very good leader.
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