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Leadership: 4 Ways to Act With Integrity And Humility

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There are so many facets to being a good leader. I think that in order to be a good leader, it is important to act with Integrity and Humility in all that you do. You have to remind yourself that success is earned, not bestowed.

Being in a position of leadership is hard work and you need to keep earning it every day. Consider it to be a privilege, not a right.

What exactly is acting with integrity and humility? First you have to understand their meanings.

Integrity is doing what you say you’ll do. It is walking the talk.

Humility is recognizing that some ideas will come from other people. It is being able to admit when you make a mistake. It is also learning from the mistakes of others. It is your moral compass.

Here are 4 ways to act with integrity and humility as a leader:

1) Accept praise but remain skeptical. A good way to remain skeptical is to listen to your friends – friends are not afraid to be honest with each other and give it to each other straight. Senior leaders need the friendship of 1 or 2 close colleagues whom they trust to tell the truth to them.

2) Reflect on your shortcomings. Take time out weekly to gain perspective on whether what you are doing is valuable. Look at mistakes you have made. How you have treated others? What can you improve upon? What can you do differently?

3) Look for reasons to praise and compliment others on your team. Be genuine and authentic in your praises.

4) Look for ways to help others to succeed and become successful.

“It is said that it is far more difficult to hold and maintain leadership (liberty) that it is to attain it. Success is a ruthless competitor for it flatters and nourishes our weaknesses and lulls us into complacency. We bask in the sunshine of accomplishment and lose the spirit of humility which helps us visualize all the factors which have contributed to our success. We are apt to forget that we are only one of a team, that in unity there is strength and that we are strong only as long as each unit in our organization functions with precision.”
— Samuel Tilden
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Responses

  1. Jon Mertz Avatar
    Jon Mertz

    Excellent points, Chantal. Integrity and humility are essential leadership traits; both keep us centered and wanting to lead in better ways. Active, focused listening is another important way to lead with integrity and humility. In being an active listener, we need to as a lot of meaningful questions. It is a great way to build partnerships with people and learn a great deal from them. Thanks! Jon

    Reply
    1. Chantal Bechervaise Avatar
      Chantal Bechervaise

      Thank you for your comment Jon! Yes, active listening is another important way to lead with integrity and humility. Too many leaders and people just wait to speak but did not reiterate what they have heard in the conversation. Very good point.

      Reply
  2. lollydaskal Avatar
    lollydaskal

    Great post!

    When you lead with humility, integrity and grace you breathe life into heart based leadership.

    Thanks for great insight.

    Lolly

    Reply
    1. Chantal Bechervaise Avatar
      Chantal Bechervaise

      Thank you Lolly! I appreciate the time that you take to respond and comment on my posts.

      Reply
  3. Lalita Raman Avatar
    Lalita Raman

    Lovely post Chantal. To praise, appreciate and encourage others matters and it makes a big difference in our day-to-day lives. It is a simple act by the giver but makes a huge positive impact on the receiver. To lead with humility and integrity is to be a true human being.

    Reply
    1. Chantal Bechervaise Avatar
      Chantal Bechervaise

      Thank you Lalita!! I appreciate the time you took to comment and agree that taking time to encourage others makes a big difference.

      Reply
  4. Dionne (@beyourwholeself) Avatar
    Dionne (@beyourwholeself)

    I really enjoy this – in particular – accept praise but remain skeptical – we can’t define ourselves by praise any more than we can define ourselves through criticism

    Reply
  5. Terri Klass (@TerriKlass) Avatar
    Terri Klass (@TerriKlass)

    Terrific post, Chantal! Having humility and integrity are essential for all leaders as they humanize the person. I have found that we need to spend more time praising others and advocating for them. There is no better feeling than to know that someone else believes in us and supports our growth.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  6. LaRae Quy (@LaRaeQuy) Avatar
    LaRae Quy (@LaRaeQuy)

    Loved your post, Chantal! Humility and integrity are two critical qualities for leaders…someone needs to send that memo to our politicians!

    Lacking humility is pretending you are your own God. Can’t happen, folks….

    Reply
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