Last week I wrote about Choosing Your Vision. I explained why it is important to choose how you “look” at projects, your team and your company. This week I want to touch on integrity.

Choose Integrity

Merriam-Webster defines integrity as: “Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or ethical value.” The American Heritage Dictionary says: “Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.” Integrity is as important in your business career as it is in your personal life!

It is part of your job as a leader to set standards and to expect those standards to be followed. More importantly, you must adhere to those standards yourself.

Integrity improves employee morale, it strengthens customer relations and loyalty and it improves the company’s image within the community.

Make sure your team members understand what is expected of them and what they can expect as consequences of unethical behavior. Lead from the top. Set an example for your team members. Treat each team member in a fair manner, avoid conflicts of interest, protect the company’s assets and do not personally benefit from your position within the company. It is hard to expect employees not to take home office supplies when you are padding your expense report.

One of the most important issues of integrity is confidentiality. If you are the office gossip people won’t trust you. Trust between a team leader and their team is paramount. It also extends to keeping your word. Do what you say. Keep promises and commitments. Doing so will earn the respect and trust of the people you work with, will set the example of what you expect from them and will set a harmonious work environment. Time won’t be wasted on resentment and talk behind your back about how you said you’d do something and didn’t follow through.

Have the same ethical expectations of yourself that you have of your team. Your reputation within your team, and your company, depends on it.

Next week I will talk about Choosing To Take Risk and Assuming Resposibility for those risks so stop by and give it a read. Every little tidbit you can add to your arsenal will make you a better leader so check out our Leadership Arsenal series.