✏ The Truth about the Truth

To lead the way, you have to set the example. An effective leader is a trusted leader. It is a person who values the importance of transparency and is willing to make the investment in treating others with respect and trust. Honesty is the core of leadership — and without that integrity, you will not last long. What used to be a valued characteristic is now something that leaders struggle with.

How did this epidemic sneak up on us?

It happened because of the tremendous pressure we continue to put on leaders to accomplish their objectives, at any or all costs. The burdens are felt at every level of management, and as the saying goes, “shit rolls downhill.” We work incredibly hard to be innovative in creating a vision and mission that gains buy-in from the employees. However, increasing revenue and productivity goals are not enough. We now live in an era of establishing stretch goals to meet the expectations of shareholders, only to have to make adjustments mid-year when we don’t trend toward those promises.

Now, we are forced to work harder with less. Budgets are cut, hiring freezes are enacted, and quotas are increased. The target is now drilled in and expected to be achieved at all costs. It’s those three words that can change the core of an effective leader into becoming one who is now concerned about the security of their own job.

At. All. Costs.

In a survey of over 100,000 people, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of the book, The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations, found that the most valued leadership quality by far is honesty, at 89%. You can risk losing everything simply by sacrificing your integrity to achieve your individual goals.

You cannot expect loyalty when you don’t provide honesty.

However, place value in your honesty as a leader, and you have the tremendous opportunity to gain a workforce who becomes more satisfied in their job, less likely to complain, and willing to go above and beyond to exceed expectations based on the pride they take in their role. All it requires is a deliberate attempt to be transparent, even if it means you have to share the good, the bad and the ugly. If those you lead understand the playing field and the adversity they can anticipate, nobody is caught off guard when times get tough.

The ability for a leader to be trustworthy can be inspiring. If the goal of a leader is to create more leaders, take ownership in setting the example of reinforcing the core characteristics that make a successful leader: trust, integrity, empathy and connection. You have the power to contribute to the movement of change simply by being you. Will you be tested? Absolutely. Every day. But when you aren’t a sellout, integrity becomes a habit.

It all starts with being honest with yourself. Being self-aware and not willing to jeopardize your core values for anything or anybody. It is having a set of non-negotiables when it comes to your character that are not up for discussion. Honesty with ourselves and with others is the keystone to living a fulfilled life.

Your example will always define your leadership.

Go do great things today and make a difference!