Leaders are…FAITHFUL
DWYSYWD. This is how the writers of a book I’ve been reading (Kouzes & Posner) define integrity. It stands for “Do what you say you will do.” It’s as simple as that. If someone knows that you will do exactly what you have told them you would do, then you have integrity. When your word is true – when people can absolutely count on what you say – you’re the type of leader that people want to follow. They will put their life in your hands and buy into the vision you have for the team.
Another way to say this is, leaders are faithful. When they make a commitment, you can be sure they will honor it and do what they have said they would do. It will be in the big things and the small things. It can be a completion of a large and complicated task, or it can just be showing up on time. Leaders are faithful. Leaders have integrity. You can take their word to the bank.
Here are some of the ways leaders are faithful and show that they can be trusted.
Leaders are faithful: in their personal relationships
to their friends
in their work ethic
to their team
to their employer
with their time
to their values
in their service to others and to God
to their calling
In this day and age there are too many examples of leaders who have crashed right when it appeared they were at the pinnacle of their success because they stopped being trustworthy. They stopped doing what they said they would do. The damage done is immense, because it reaches far beyond the disgraced leader and to everyone who holds a stake in the enterprise. In addition, society in general suffers as distrust and cynicism invade the hearts and minds of people who have become disillusioned by their fallen leaders.
I believe people want to trust their leaders. They want to look to lofty ideals and believe that the people up front have the common good in mind. But each time a leader falls short, there is a break in the continuity of trust. As leaders, we must do everything we can in order to live our words. Clearly, fully, consistently, and faithfully. We must DWWSWWD – Do what we say we will do.
Lead well.