One of my favorite books on Leadership is “The Leadership Challenge.” Its 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?
Honesty begins with the leader being honest with him or herself. Â Understanding his or her weaknesses, strengths, knowledge limits, personal biases–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.
Honesty is a place the devil cannot exist.
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
