Values are un-comprisable, un-debatable truths, characteristics that drive and direct behavior. They are motivational; they give reasons why we do things. They are restrictive and place boundaries to guide our behavior. They provide the core of individual, group or organizational identify. They are enduring judgments about what you consider to be important, like the shoulders on a major highway. Values can be described as, what we treasure the most; those things we want to live or die for. Those beliefs characterize and distinguish us one from another.
I was hired by a major corporation to review agencies worth millions of dollars in our Province. It would be an amazing contract. I’d travel, meet and interview staff, clients, review records, assess results and make recommendations to increase or decrease funding, reorganize or terminate a contract agency. It was a great opportunity. While waiting for a meeting to start, the senior consultant who would be advising me on the role gave me a blank copy of the corporation expense account. I thanked him and he advised me that the first rule of expense accounts was to put my conscience on hold and charge everything I could get away with.
“Ninety-nine percent of leadership failure are failures of character.” (James C. Hunter. The World’s Most Powerful Leadership Principle. How to Become a Servant Leader. 2004)
Would putting your conscience on hold while filling out an expense account be an integrity issue for you? It was for me. I didn’t and won’t put my conscience on hold.
Integrity is defined as wholeness of character, values, beliefs and consistent principles. You are a leader. Your values drive your behavior. Whatever you value will drive your thinking and your life.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Author of Leadership Is… Devotions for Servant Leaders Jethrogroup.ca