Integrity
The foundation of great leadership.
The word integrity is used often in discussion of world and local
leaders. People talk about whether a particular person has it or if
it has been compromised. The challenge is defining what integrity is
and how it affects peoples relationships and ability to lead.
Looking at two triangles
that are identical in size and shape the participants identified them as
congruent. When placed on top of one another, they are a perfect
match. When participants think of one of those triangles as their
values and the other as their behaviors they are better able to
think about their own integrity. Participants began to consider
matching their values and behaviors.
For example, if someone
had a stated value of being on time, they would match that with a
behavior of being prompt or even early for their appointments. If
the stated value was a great relationship with family members,
they could match that with spending more time at home or increasing
their interaction with their kids.
Once participants understood
the concept and how it applied to themselves, they had an
opportunity to put it to action. Participants stood in the room and
listened to a variety of statements that required a value judgment.
Quietly participants moved around the room to demonstrate their belief
through action. At times one or two participants would stand alone
while the rest of the group was in another part of the room.
At the end of the
activity the group discussed what was challenging about the
activity. Participants commented that their values had changed as they
grew older. It was difficult the make a quick decision in some
cases. Some participants talked about the little voice in their heads
as they wondered what their peers would think of them for holding a
certain belief. It was agreed that it is not always easy to be
congruent with behaviors and values, but that integrity was and
essential element for personal character and leadership ability.
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