Integrity
Do what you say and say what you will do. Always.
Choosing to live in INTEGRITY is essential to producing extraordinary results. When leaders choose to operate in INTEGRITY, their words literally create the world. They reach a level of performance that otherwise would be unattainable.
To fully appreciate the value of INTEGRITY, it’s paramount to leave aside all other connotations of the word. This PRIME isn’t based on value, morality, or intention. It’s based on action. When people choose to operate in INTEGRITY, they reach a level of performance that otherwise would be unattainable. Unkept promises are not merely empty; they’re destructive, breed mistrust and alienate every person whom we have labored to enroll.
Choosing to live in a CULTURE of INTEGRITY is the greatest commitment a leader can make and is essential to producing extraordinary results. It’s also difficult to accomplish, because such a pledge makes us vulnerable to scrutiny, not to mention failure, according to standards that may seem impossible to uphold.
Most good leaders want to be perceived as approachable, involved, and respectful of people’s ideas and requests. The temptation to say “yes” can be overwhelming and to say “no” seems counterintuitive. Even when you wish you could say “yes,” learn to say “no” when there’s no way to be certain that you can fulfill a commitment. Continue to say “yes” to everyone and you’ll discover that people care more about whether you keep your word than whether you’re approachable. Learn to say “yes” only when you mean it.
IN ACTION
Learn to listen to someone’s request and know that you have three possible answers: “yes,” “no,” and “maybe.” Be your word. “Yes” means yes. There are no exceptions or excuses.
Try it today. Simply be your word in all matters and observe the results.
SO WHAT?
Accomplishing the extraordinary is best attempted with those we can TRUST and who can TRUST us. TRUST is essential for high performance teams, working on a serious project. INTEGRITY generates TRUST. When promises are kept, the reservoir of trust fills and is secure behind the dam of INTEGRITY. When promises are not kept, the dam is BREACHED, the reservoir is drained, and it’s difficult to fill again.