In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership, where change is the only constant and challenges come in various forms, character and integrity remain timeless pillars upon which great leaders are built. These qualities are not mere buzzwords or checkboxes on a leadership checklist; rather, they are the foundational bedrock from which trust, respect, and influence are constructed. Yet, looking around today I see many shaky and flawed foundations, as integrity and character seem to be in short supply. True, we cannot control the actions of others, but our perspectives on integrity and character certainly drive our own behaviors.
Oxford dictionary defines the two terms as this. Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Character: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. Similar, yet different concepts.
I’ve often heard integrity defined as “doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.” I see it as our personal foundation, based on our core values and beliefs. Character speaks to who you are. It reflects attributes that make up the whole person. I typically think of character in the traits you possess, like courage, kindness, honesty or modesty. Integrity, on the other hand, reflects the congruence between your words, beliefs and actions. This can often be thought of in the context of “do you do what you say?” It’s about being true to yourself and living in a way that is consistent with your beliefs.
In John C. Maxwell’s book The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, he identifies character as the first key quality. In the book, Maxwell reflects on the intersection of character and integrity, making sure that words and actions are not fighting against each other. While individuals may rise in their career based on talent, cracks in character will limit what heights they will achieve. Maxwell believes that character is a choice and leaders have to make good choices – consistently – to build trust with others. Great leaders don’t just talk about integrity, they live it daily through intentional words and actions.
Demonstrating high integrity and strong character doesn’t always mean in big ways. It is often found in the daily small moments. Start by identifying your key values. Then assess your actions to see if they align. For example, if family is a leading value for you, make sure you attend key events. Reach out and make a phone call just to stay connected. Prioritize family commitments over other activities.
Kindness to others, no matter what role they play in the organization, is a direct reflection of character. I watch how people treat others in the workplace. Low character people are often only kind to those they can benefit from. During the interview process, do candidates only try to impress the prospective boss? Or do they treat everyone with the same care and consideration? I’ve also seen this play out in office politics at several organizations. There is the appearance of collaboration when the boss is around, but to someone they believe is inferior, based on title or rank, that friendly demeanor quickly evaporates. Worse yet, they are only willing to collaborate when it benefits their own situation. True collaboration means sometimes it is good for you, sometimes it is good for me, but in the end it will be better for all of us.
In my professional career, there have been decisions or strategies I needed to implement that I didn’t agree with. We all have had them. It may be a difference of opinion on strategy or fundamental operating policy. But from an integrity standpoint, my lens is the same. Do I just disagree on principle? I have gotten comfortable implementing decisions that may not be the ones I would have selected. I realize that I can provide input, but I don’t always get the final decision. I may stand on principle, but do I consider the request unethical, immoral or illegal? These are boundaries I would rather leave a job for than to cross. My husband faced this dilemma earlier in his career. He was asked to “look the other way” on a violation of a process and falsify documents. This crossed both his ethical and legal boundary! While he loved the job and had multiple opportunities for professional growth, he left the organization because he was not willing to sacrifice his integrity. It tainted his perspective on the organization’s leaders he once admired, and forced him to reflect on his own limits. It was a scary decision to leave a job with no prospects, but one we both knew was the right thing to do. If they crossed one ethical boundary, how many more might they cross?
We all have to take a good look at our own character and integrity through a fresh lens. The complexities of life will continue to challenge us, and despite our best efforts, we will make mistakes. But our character and integrity will be what allows us to navigate new terrain effectively. Leadership often means taking a risk, going first, and being the example. If collaboration is important in the workplace, reach out to others first to seek their input and participation. If it is important for the work environment to be a positive culture, bring a positive attitude every day. If kindness is lacking in your world, be kind to others regardless of what you will gain in return. The old adage “be the change you want to see in the world” surely applies.
To improve our character, we have to self-reflect. As humans, we are imperfect beings. We make mistakes. Are there times you may have cut corners, not been truthful, or focused only on yourself when you should have focused on the organization? What do you value that your actions do not support? Look for patterns in those behaviors, and be truthful about how you can improve the next time. Making progress starts with awareness and finding our triggers. Be dedicated and intentional on improving. As Maxwell says, true character means “being bigger on the inside than we are on the outside”.
“Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ~ Coach John Wooden
Hallway Consulting Group 
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