As you move higher up in the organization, your actions gain more meaning and impact, so you need to be true to your core, which is shaped by your values, upbringing and business experiences. You’ve got to stick to that core, and when you don’t, you can get negative or undesirable outcomes.”
That was said by a health care executive I interviewed at a corporate leadership retreat. He continued.
My whole philosophy centers on the impact I have on others. I believe it’s important to be honest and transparent and to establish trust between management and employees. And if you violate that trust, people won’t follow you anymore.”
He told the group that when he was a young executive, he asked the company CEO what advice he’d give to someone who wanted to be good leader. The CEO said,
Always do what’s right for the company first, what’s right for the work group second and what’s right for you third.”
It all comes back to having a high level of personal integrity that your people see every day. This is especially important when you, as the leader, have to manage a crisis or difficult situation. Take for example, how NBC handled the Brian Williams’ predicament.
In other words, leaders must be accountable and take responsibility for their actions. There might be cases where I am at fault. At these times, more than ever, I have to be transparent and truthful. This neutralizes the situation so that we can focus on finding solutions to the problem.”
Final Words of Wisdom
Begin each day with the intention to make a positive difference in what you do, who you do it with and who you do it for. End each day with a quick review: What differences did I make today?
Smart Moves Tip
Actions of the leader will have more effect on how employees behave than any vision statement or corporate policy which tells them how they are ‘supposed’ to behave. Chances are they already know how they are ‘supposed’ to behave. Create a culture of integrity by your own actions will have more effect on your people to behave in the way you want them to.
My Motto Is:
If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got. Therefore, MOVE outside of your comfort zone; thats where the MAGIC happens.” To bring that magic to your leadership and business, subscribe to Marcias monthly Execubrief: Business Edge Smart Growth Strategies with a insights, inspiration and intelligence on how to build great businesses that matter those that do well and do good.
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