Behind every successful company, you will find great leadership. There are many qualities and characteristics that are always used to describe what makes up a great leader, but I found that three characteristics are consistently cited. Integrity, intuition, and innovation are the main building blocks of strong leadership. These qualities enable leaders to inspire others to learn more, to do more, and to become more. In this chapter, I will explain why each of these characteristics are essential to effective leadership in the business world.
INTEGRITY
In general, integrity can be defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, but as John Mackey, owner of Whole Foods, tells us in his book that integrity involves more than just honesty. He tells us “Honesty is often used as a synonym for integrity, but integrity is a more comprehensive virtue because, while it is partly about honesty, it goes beyond just telling the truth.” For Mackey, integrity “includes authenticity, fairness, trustworthiness, and moral courage; it involves doing what we believe is true to our values and the right thing to do whatever the circumstances, even when it may involve substantial personal cost.” (Mackey, Kindle)
An example of this kind of integrity can be found in the story of Indra K. Nooyi. She is the president and chief financial officer of PepsiCo. Nooyi is one of the top female executives in the United States, and is also believed to be the highest ranking
In my everyday life, I exemplify integrity by consistently following my moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances. To me, having integrity means that I am are true to myself and would do nothing that demeans or dishonors me. I keep your promises even if it takes extra effort. I work when I am supposed to and save socializing, snacking, searching the Internet and personal phone calls for break time. I show respect to coworkers with appropriate conversation and empathy. I am responsible, and I do what I say I will do.
Integrity is when you do the right thing, even when nobody's watching. “You working with a group cutting bushes in the woods when two of the men started to argue Joe looked up and saw the guy slapping angrily toward each other both raising their axes, and without thinking Joe jumped between the men ‘you give me your axe’ he demanded of one, then he turned to the other ‘and you give me your axe’. Joe took the axes and the fight was over.” (131) Joe showed integrity in that situation because he did the right thing, even if it meant potentially putting himself in danger, even when no one was watching.
In my opinion, a person either has integrity or does not have integrity. A person who does not have integrity is not honest. He keeps lying to his colleagues and seniors. At the same time, he does not fulfill his duty in time. In other words, he does not meet deadlines or does not complete his work.
Integrity is more than being honest. Integrity is one of the values employers look for when selecting employees; a person with integrity carries their values with them in everything they do. To act in a manner that is morally and legally right is being a leader or person of integrity. This type of leader is consistent in doing what is right, legally and morally (Dees, 2014). One a person loses their integrity, it is almost impossible to get it back. Linnartz (2012) said integrity can be understood by how well we live and meaningfully connect our values into our daily life and work. Having integrity and having a leadership philosophy in line with good personal values will improve the relationship a leader has with colleagues. Having a leader that lacks integrity is a recipe for workplace chaos or conflict. According to Schachter (2013), a leader with integrity will walk the talk; their deeds match their words. The leader will be honest, moral, and
Integrity is defined as following your moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances, even if no one is watching you. Having integrity means you are true to yourself and would do nothing that demeans or dishonors you. When employees are asked what they want from leaders it is integrity. Qualities change across culture and time, but what people say they want most in American society is integrity. When people are asked to define integrity, the word they mention most frequently is honesty. The leader with integrity always tells the truth as he or she believes it to be. Think about the best leader you have ever had; she or he probably had integrity. First and foremost, people want a leader they can trust. Ask yourself whether you have a reputation for integrity. (Manning 6) Integrity can be broken down into sub components:
One of the most important characteristics of an effective leader is integrity. “Integrity is a moral quality of social life that inheres cognitive effort, but also binds and mobilizes positive emotions” (Mintrop, 2012). Understanding the definition of integrity and how to apply it at the moment of taking decisions, will allow leaders to be an example of honesty that will develop into trust from the followers. “As your integrity grows, so
As we continue to learn about leadership, we continue to see the importance of having certain qualities. There are differing opinions on what traits hold more importance than others, but in the end, each quality plays a specific role in forming an excellent leader. Three qualities that preform a role in the equation, and that needs strengthened in my own leadership skills, are enthusiasm, persistence and charisma.
A person of integrity does exactly what he says and says exactly what he means. There is no conflict between his thoughts and actions. His actions are consistent with the values he professes. According to Dr. William Manninger, A building without integrity may receive structural damage, or even collapse, in a storm. Similarly, people without integrity are blown about by the winds of misfortune and destroyed by catastrophes, for they lack the firmness, solidity, and strength of character to weather any storm. This means that integrity is one of the six essential qualities that are the key to success.
What makes a good leader? Is it someone who can effectively tell others what to do? Someone who can make tough decisions? Someone who can take control in a difficult situation? A leader should be all of these things, but also they should be much more than that. Throughout this semester we have learned how we can become better leaders in both our personal and our professional lives. There are many different ways we have learned how to become better leaders. In order to apply what I have learned this semester I need to develop a plan on how to improve my leadership abilities and forge myself a more successful future.
“Integrity as a word originates from the Latin adjective integer and means the state or quality of being complete or whole.” Integrity as a character trait is a highly sought after character trait in the business world. Sadly, however, it is one that can be hard to find. I have heard integrity defined as “the good you choose to do when nobody’s watching.” Integrity is at the very root of ethics, because without it our ethical convictions will do us no good. In business, integrity is everything. Without integrity a business simply won’t last, and if they do they won’t be able to do so without the entire world knowing about their shortcomings. Thanks to social media, things done in the dark rarely stay in the dark. With all it’s flaws, the media has
The ambition to succeed, to encourage others, whether it is a team playing a game and pushing them to a win, a personality that can give anyone courage to achieve their dreams, the respect of what others believe and effective communication are all traits that can make a good leader. Growing up we have all had leaders that have stood out and have shaped our minds to what we believe a good leader can be. Leaders are everywhere in our community, we may have them in a camp that we attended over the summer, a teacher that has made a lasting impression, or even a family member. In my case my aunt is someone who I believe is a leader, not only myself but to the rest of the family, friends, and the community. I have grown up in a close family; if you decided to mess with one of us you get the whole gang. We looked out for each other and put others before ourselves.
What makes a good leader? This is a question asked constantly, especially in the educational fields, and especially by the film Dead Poets Society. This film is a portrayal of the battle between the modern view of leadership and the traditional, as it clashes in a prep school with unruly teenage boys. Here we see a struggle between a young teacher with a new vision and the leaders of a school with principles it has followed for years. In the midst of this struggle we also see the next generation of leaders rise up and fall. This is a representation of leadership at its best, and its worst, and sometimes it falls somewhere in-between. However, the main theme of this movie is the stark contrast between two leadership styles. These leadership
Some experts say while executives should stay close to the core of their business, they should also be able to delegate by understanding group behavior and knowing what makes a good leader. They can do this first by recognizing their own leadership traits and management style. Senior executives should recognize that if their company is growing that they may not always be able to manage all of their accounts, but should always lead them by influencing a group to successfully completing their goals. Matching leaders as well as groups and understanding their traits and behaviors to fit the situation or project can be successful.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it” as stated by Peter Drucker, a famous philosopher during the early 1900s. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. Within the choices we make on an everyday basis, it is imperative to use what we know and have gained through social experiences to complete the possibilities of our “castle in the air”. For this will make and shape our own destiny, to the top of our zenith.
Leadership. There are many who find themselves in the position of leadership within their place of work, but that doesn’t always mean that they are effective as a leader. The success of a company can rely on whether or not those in management know how to instruct and direct others on their team. What are the true characteristics of a great leader? Great leaders have the ability to empower others, which will influence other people (Maxwell, 1997). Being a mentor is one very important quality of being a successful leader. In his book Developing the Leaders Around You (1995), John C. Maxwell states “Great leaders share themselves and what they have learned” (Maxwell, 1995, p 34). These leaders help others grow in knowledge, whether it is