Integrity
Larry’s Leadership Ladder
Some would say that it is a rare thing to find one who stays true to his or her word. With the fast-paced competitive environment that we live in, it appears that keeping your word may be becoming less important to those who lead. While this may be true, I recently experienced something very different.
We have the opportunity to work with a group of executives who lead a division of a large multi-million dollar corporation. With the pressures and constant change in their company, they could have made multiple excuses about not hitting deadlines that are necessary for execution of work. Instead, they communicated to us regularly, they gave us their word that they were working through the process. They were authentic, transparent and honest. Each leader worked to create a partnership with us by keeping us in the loop with consistent meetings and communication.
These leaders are not perfect, and their organization has many things to work on to become a more healthy company. Isn't that true of most of us? These leaders chose to walk with integrity and honesty through a jungle of unpredictability and at times poor leadership from those above them in the organization. Their circumstances did not control their character.
Thank you, my friends, for your leadership and choosing to push this thing through to the finish line with integrity. Choose to be a leader who keeps his or her word and you will make a difference.
Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
Integrity is essential for every leader—it’s the foundation of trust, credibility, and success. Acting with integrity means staying true to ethical values, principles, and commitments, regardless of the situation or personal gain. This dedication to doing what’s right sets a strong example and creates an environment where honesty, openness, and accountability are valued by all.
Leading with integrity helps build a fair and inclusive workplace. It means treating everyone with respect, valuing different perspectives, and ensuring equal opportunities. By showing integrity, leaders encourage ethical behavior and guide the organization toward a more diverse, inclusive, and socially responsible future. Integrity also builds trust, which is essential between leaders and employees. People are more likely to follow a leader they trust—someone who truly “walks the talk.” This trust strengthens the organization’s reputation among those who value ethics.
Building a culture based on integrity requires leaders to create a place where ethical values can grow. This empowers others, supports ethical practices, and promotes a respectful and accountable workplace. Integrity in leadership is key because it sets a strong example for everyone. When you put integrity first, you build trust within your team and set the standard for ethical behavior.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The MSS Way helps leaders build a culture rooted in integrity. Integrity is based on two main pillars: Trust and Accountability. Trust is the foundation of relationships, encouraging people to follow leaders they believe in. Accountability makes sure actions match words, holding everyone responsible for their commitments. Together, Trust and Accountability create a strong, ethical environment. In the next two modules, we’ll explore these areas in more detail and discuss their importance in creating an integrity-driven culture. Let’s get started!