“Integrity is a Leader’s best business card; don’t leave home without it.”
— JSP
In September 2023, the Pew Research Center released the results of a survey entitled “Public Trust in Government: 1958-2023,” The survey found that; “Public trust in the federal government, which has been low for decades, has returned to near record lows following a modest uptick in 2020 and 2021.
Currently, fewer than two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (1%) or “most of the time” (15%). This is among the lowest trust measures in nearly seven decades of polling. Last year, 20% said they trusted the government just about always or most of the time.” (1)
The Reputable Leader
A reputable Leader, being a person of principle with high moral standards, is always commendable. We can trust people with integrity because it places the relationship on solid ground.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, CEO, Sports figure, or an elected official, your character will dictate your reputation, which will precede you.
Bringing our best selves to the table or bringing our “A Game,” as some might call it, requires being all in, all the time, thus outpacing those around us. Most people think of their “A Game” as their performance outpacing others.
For a reputable leader, bringing their “A Game” is about internal fortitude, or the strength of mind (as some dictionaries define it), enabling the leader to address costly situations without compromising values or character.
Living without a Plan B
Be encouraged that tomorrow’s impeccable character is built one decision at a time, beginning today.
To a reputable leader, character and integrity are non-negotiable boundaries. In difficult situations where many wouldn’t think twice about compromise, the reputable leader has already decided in favor of their values long before that time comes.
Ulterior motives will eventually undermine those who are untrustworthy. Their lack of integrity allows them to utilize a sliding-scale morality, which places all their endeavors and relationships on faulty foundations. Those who partner with them are putting themselves at risk.
The integrity of any structure is determined by its foundation; the integrity of personal character in relationships is no different.
“Personality forms our first impression; it’s an easy read because it lies on the surface. We tend to gravitate toward people who display a degree of confidence and sociability and may have a sense of humor. If they’re good listeners and easy to talk to, we may get the impression we can trust them. We mistakenly view these personality traits as character traits, which reside at our core, hidden from view.
This is why the general public can so quickly turn against and hate an elected official with the same passion they used to love them with when they voted for them. There is no need to know the facts; how they feel when the bad news makes its first impression on them justifies everything.
Why is Character So Important?
Character rests on our beliefs and is formed in the heart. If we don’t believe we should help others – we won’t. If placing ourselves first at all costs is something we believe in, we will behave that way and lack integrity with others. We truly connect with others at a heart level, not a personality level. The cause of corporate scandals is character failure.” (2)
In Closing, “As a leader, if you keep building on personality, gifts, and talents, instead of good character to lead your people, you will always end up being manipulative.” — JSP
End Notes
(1) Pew Research Center “Public Trust in Government: 1958-2023” https://rb.gy/qr7w5y
(2) “Character is King” John S Picarello https://rb.gy/kwus2n
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions Pride Leadership Co.***