Comments on: Leadership Integrity: Touchy-Feely Crap?

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:01:33 +0000

I totally concur that for the leader the correction has to be public for all the reasons you point out. GREAT comment, Claudia. Welcome to my website and hope to see more of you here!! Bret

By: Claudia Clark

Claudia Clark — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:44:05 +0000

Establishing integrity in the eyes of others requires correction, but public correction is key. A leader corrects and EXPLAINS. Acknowledging misdirection (mistakes), explaining the problem, then making the correction, not only models values alignment, it also affirms the safety of the workplace — errors aren’t a disaster to hide, they are simply missteps that can be corrected.

By: What’s integrity to you? « hour9

What’s integrity to you? « hour9 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:42:19 +0000

[...] bloggers that I follow, Bret Simmons and Mary Jo Ausmus, recently posted on the topic of integrity, how to stay in it and what it [...]

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:30:12 +0000

Kevin, great thoughts! I am with you on honesty and OK with Love. But again with integrity, we can’t define it as ethics because, well, that’s what ethics is. Integrity has an action orientation. We only know you have integrity by watching what you do and listening to what you say. So I like the “staying” part of your concept. Thanks for sharing! Bret

By: Kevin Kim

Kevin Kim — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:10:40 +0000

Hmm…I’ll be honest. I went to a lot of different places in my head as I thought about this. Here are my definitions of integrity and honesty and I added one that talks about the alignment of values to followers:

- integrity: staying ethical in business, leadership and relational practices and having values that fit within those contexts.
- honesty: doing what you say you are going to do aka acting according to your values.
- love: the ability to listen and care about the values of the individuals on your team and relentlessly pursuing their success.

Just a slight spin on your definition of integrity. Thanks to all who contributed on comments, I feel challenged.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:04:21 +0000

The big test of integrity, one where I believe many senior executives are failing, is alignment when the pressure it on. It’s easy to walk and talk with in popular ways when things are going well, but when the times are tough and the building is burning, how do you act? That’s when all eyes are on the leader, so the crucible is critical. Thanks, MJ!

PS: Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post. Another question on leadership where I would very much value your perspective.

By: Mary Jo Asmus

Mary Jo Asmus — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:22:27 +0000

Wally and Bret,

My view is from behind the scenes of leadership. When the door is closed, and I am working with my clients, they strive to have and exhibit integrity. It’s an uphill climb when you are shoved out into the cold,cruel world of business where integrity is currently at a premium.

The world is changing. There are lots and lots of good leaders out there who have integrity, and who work at it every day. I choose to believe that in the war between integrity and lip service, integrity will win (in my lifetime).

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:52 +0000

Peg, you bring up a GREAT point that leadership integrity does NOT imply perfection, but it does require correction. We ALL screw up. Integrity means you course correct and you don’t make that same mistake over and over again. Never thought of it this way before, but integrity and learning are cousin concepts. Thanks! Bret

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:23:17 +0000

Thanks, Tom. I purposefully tried to narrow our focus to “leadership” integrity to make this process of figuring out what it is more meaningful and manageable to those that might land here. Your concept of sustained proactive influence is a solid leadership concept. I like it. Thanks! Bret

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:20:36 +0000

In the eyes of HIS followers, Bin Laden’s integrity is solid. Even though we might not like it, unlike honesty which can be objectively evaluated, integrity will always be in the eye of the beholder. That’s why as leaders, we have to keep our eye on your beholders. Thanks! Bret