As I mentioned in an earlier blog, “The Leadership Challenge,” is one of my favorite books on Leadership. The authors, Barry Posner and Jim Kouzes have spent years studying leadership and have tons of factual data to support their work.
Over the past thirty years they have surveyed in excess of 1.3 million people asking what they view as the most important traits of leaders. Â Every time they conduct the survey, the number one leadership trait admired in leaders is honesty.
Is it any wonder why so many of us are turned off by politicians?
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, everything rises and falls on leadership and I also believe a leader rises and falls based upon his or her honesty.
Honesty begins with the leader being honest with herself. Â Understanding his or her weaknesses, strengths, knowledge limits, personal biases etc…, and it continues with being honest about what is going on–no spinning, no re-writing history, no blaming others, etc..,
My leadership style benefited immensely from having gone through the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Â In AA we learn our recovery is contingent upon our ability to be rigorously honest with ourselves. Â It was in AA where I found “white lies” were lies, and manipulation was a trait used by the best liars. Â Sadly enough–I used to be really good at both.
Honesty is a place the devil cannot exist.
Peace exists where honesty exists. People like peace.
How is your honesty?
Your leadership rises and falls with it.
2 Corinthians 8:21, “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.”
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
