14. Integrity, trust, and respect

Integrity, trust, and respect

Integrity, trust, and respect are “must have” qualities that all leadership gurus advocate, yet many of us are not aware of the extent to which we practice them, especially in challenging situations.

The relationships between a successful career and behaving with integrity, respect, and trust, are not always apparent. The consequences of not acting with integrity, not being respectful to others, or not earning their trust, are not always clear.

Most people practice these traits instinctively, as a part of their automated habitual behaviors. But taking them to the next level requires conscious deliberate effort.

So if these qualities are so essential, why are we seeing so many leaders struggle with them?

You have probably observed that practicing these qualities becomes increasingly challenging when leaders are in a position of power:

1. Acting with integrity becomes more challenging when we find ourselves in compromising situations, when there is a conflict between our primal desires and our higher moral values.

2. Respecting everyone around us, especially people at a lower level, is difficult when we are under pressure to deliver. Allowing our team members the space to express themselves, to make their own decisions, and to make mistakes, is particularly challenging when we are under pressure.

3. Earning the trust of people we work with requires attention, time, and energy, which we do not always have when we are challenged by the results we have to deliver.

Developing your integrity, trust, and respect

Below are some guidelines for developing your integrity, respect, and trust:

 1. Like with most leadership qualities, developing acute self-awareness is the first step. Asking yourself every single day: “Am I acting with integrity? Am I being respectful toward everyone around me, especially people junior to me? Am I intentionally acting to earn the trust of the people I work with?”

 2. Whenever you are confronted by a compromising situation, take a moment to consciously consult your moral values. If you are still finding it difficult to decide on the right course of action, consult your mentor or coach;

 3. Allow your team members the space to express themselves, even if their ideas may be different than yours, and even if you think you already know the answer. Let them know that you respect their effort, their ideas, and their decisions; and

4. Trust is earned by delivering on your commitments, by being true to your word, and by being considerate and fare, even when you have to make a difficult decision that others may not like. Make sure you follow these guidelines in everything you do.

IN THIS MODULE YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

a.   Develop self-awareness with regards to your integrity, respect for others, and earning the trust of the people you work with

b.   Recognize challenging situations in which your integrity, respect, and trust are being tested

c.   Act with integrity and respect for others, especially in challenging situations

d.   Earn the trust of all the people you work with

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