Leadership and Integrity: Will Anybody Really Notice What Happened?
Posted on Mon, May 03, 2010 @ 11:49 AM
One of the best examples of integrity and leadership presence took place recently on the
2010 PGA Tour.
In the playoff hole at the Verizon Heritage Tournament in Hilton Head, Brian Davis brought to the attention of Tournament director, Slugger White, that he, Davis, had inadvertently moved a loose impediment during his backswing while in a hazard. Nobody had seen it, including the official. In essence, Davis imposed a penalty on himself.
What did Davis' honesty cost? His first PGA tour victory and more than $400,000. Ouch.
When Davis was asked by Jim Furyk, the winner of the tournament, if he was sure he moved the impediment he said, "I know I did. I could not have lived with myself, if I had not called it on myself."
Davis' victory - doing the right thing - demonstrated his character and core values.
In a recent Leadership Today Update, I stated that when an individual is confident and centered in his or her beliefs, when their intentions, communication, actions and behaviors are consistent, that's when they gain the credibility that is the essence of leadership presence. Like Brian Davis, they are viewed as genuine and trustworthy - they are authentic. There is no hidden agenda, no game-playing. There is integrity.
Such individuals approach things with their own style that reflects a conscious attitude about who they are. Said Davis, "I am proud to uphold the values that my parents taught me, and I teach my kids the same stuff. Be honest in your sport and in your life and simply do your best. That's all you can do."
How many times in a single day at our workplace, at home or in a social setting are we faced with moments when we can choose to act with integrity? How often do we do what is right?
It is a common practice in organizations of all sizes to include integrity and trust in their value statements and guiding principles. We see statements on walls, in brochures, on web sites, and on laminated pocket-size cards. I think that people really believe in these values - who wouldn't? But there are times in every organization that, even though it may not be intentional, people slip up. Maybe some of the values that are displayed on the walls are viewed with skepticism and are not really a reflection of the organization's actions. Sometimes it's just plain hard to do the right thing. Like Brian Davis, we may run the risk of losing the big, obvious prize if we act with integrity.
What examples of integrity have you seen? When could someone you know have acted with integrity, but didn't? Let me know in the Comments section.
photo by particlem (flickr.com)