From Stan Slap: I don’t usually feature anyone else’s writing on my blog. As you know, I’ve got plenty to say as it is….   But Rob Denker is a friend of ours and asked that we feature this article so here you go. Plus it’s about integrity, which is always important.

It’s not like you have to be reminded to bring your integrity with you to work. That’s like reminding you to bring your foot: it should show up when you do. However everyone is not as emotionally evolved as the readers of this blog. So soak it up for the value it gives you, print it out, fold the print into a pointy paper airplane and aim it squarely at whoever nearby needs it.

Good stuff. Thanks much, Rob.

Leading With Integrity & How To Evaluate If You’re Doing It Right by Dr. Robert Denker

When business leaders are asked to describe key traits that correspond with the best managers and professionals they deal with, “high integrity” often tops the list.

The irony though, is that many of these same leaders do not have a clear understanding of what it really means to “lead” with integrity.

Leadership integrity is not merely a moral trait but a dynamic process of making empathetic, responsible, and sound decisions – doing what is right and fair, following through with your commitments, and being trustworthy and honest.

In short, integrity means doing the right thing, consistently.

Doing The Right Thing, Consistently

Behaving with integrity is probably easiest in the presence of others.

Knowing that others will observe and judge us often puts us on our best behavior.

Sometimes, in situations where no one is directly observing us, or where an action cannot easily be linked back to the individual, people are tempted to relax their standards and act in their own best interest rather than doing what is right or best.

There’s a saying: “To really know someone, watch what they do, not what they say.”

For some of us, the most difficult aspect of integrity is consistently doing the things we have promised.

Especially in modern, ever-changing work environments, at times it might be difficult to keep all of our commitments, whether we’re being observed or not.

The key to remember is that we should hold ourselves to high standards at all times, and be the type of leader others can count on to deliver what we said we would.

Most importantly however, as effective leaders we cannot ignore unethical behavior.

Ignoring the unethical behavior of others is also unethical and can lead to great harm for the company, yourself and all concerned.

Your Integrity Audit and Leader Self-Evaluation

Just as organizations conduct systematic audits of their financials and other key processes, so too should all leaders wishing to become more effective in their ability to lead with integrity audit themselves.

Without self-awareness, you cannot understand your strengths and weakness.

It is self-awareness that allows a leader of all levels to get a handle on where they are and where they need to go.

To help keep you on the “integrity track” perform this self-audit quarterly.

Leaders who demonstrate integrity:

• Act ethically in all situations

• Consistently treat others fairly

• Tell the truth

• Follow through on their commitments

• Do not ignore the wrong doing of others

Selecting for Integrity

Selecting leaders who demonstrate integrity is key to ensuring positive organizational outcomes.

Why?

Because integrity plays a significant role in the decision process used by associates/employees when deciding whom they will trust and follow, to whom they will be loyal and committed, and ultimately for whom they will perform.

Given this, if you are selecting leaders with an emphasis on integrity as an important aspect of the role, or if you have questions about the integrity of a candidate or someone on your team, the following selection questions will prove helpful:

• Describe for me an ethical business dilemma that you have faced. What were the circumstances?

• What did you do? Why?

• Tell me about two situations in which you have seen others be unfair or dishonest. What happened?

• What would you have done differently? Why?

Going Forward:

Most organizations rarely if ever talk about or emphasize the role integrity has on their leadership, their teams and ultimately their business.

It is then incumbent upon us as effective leaders to not only evaluate ourselves honestly, but to also stand fast in the face of convenience and unethical behavior in order to continually foster an environment of trust, accountability and results.

 

BIO:

Dr. Robert Denker is the Managing Principal of the results oriented executive coaching firm rd&partners headquartered in Chicago, IL. His clients consistently see tangible, real-world benefits working with him in a straightforward and honest way to make behavioral changes that fundamentally improve the organization’s bottom line and their own career success.