Tag: Integrity

Legacy

How do you want others to remember you? If you know the nature of words you want spoken when you leave this earth, it is vital to live that way now.

The good you want others to remember does not happen by accident, but it involves the effort you put forth now to make a difference in the lives of others.

Engrave on the hearts of those who know you the type of words and actions that demonstrate your love and care.

Leadership involves a special role and when we lead others in the way of integrity, righteousness, and truth. The legacy lives on in future generations.

The Power of Truthfulness

The opposite of truthfulness leads in one direction – deception.

Leaders must be truthful with followers and with themselves.

One of the greatest challenges for leaders is to be honest enough with themselves to make the kind of decisions that demonstrate their integrity.

Being truthful with the direction we should take may not always align with our initial plans.

Being truthful with those who are invested in following will not allow us to be self-centered.

Being truthful with God will always lead in paths of righteousness.

Leaders must be careful not to allow good intentions to vindicate pretentious actions.

Be truthful with self, others, and God in all areas.

Primal Leaders

Primal comes from a Latin word meaning “first.” The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life: intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

When thinking about leadership, the need is evident to understand the primary / first elements that must be in place for success.

A few elements that are building blocks for all leaders include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

These are the “primal” of leadership.

Using these as a foundation, leaders can build strength and character providing hope for everyone who follows.

Developing Leaders

Confidence. Courage. Compassion. Integrity. Each of these qualities are a vital part of developing the type of leaders needed today.

Douglass MacArthur said, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”

If leaders today will demonstrate the type of qualities identified and the integrity to stand behind those qualities, their leadership will always stand strong and point others to the God who brought them to this position.

Leadership Character

The character of an individual is foundational to the success of leadership.

When the whole of our life and leadership are developed on the foundation of integrity, justice, and truth, our character is defined as God would define it. See Psalm 15.

If we were to sum it up in a few simple words, it would follow the claim of Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in The Leadership Challenge, “the video needs to match the audio.”

Let us arise and lead with character.

Accountable

Leaders are accountable, but what exactly does this word involve for spiritual leadership?

There is the implication of what is required. As spiritual leaders, we are required to be trustworthy, faithful, examples, and people of integrity.

There are certain expectations. People tend to meet whatever is expected of them. When leaders make decisions, there is an expectation they will be held accountable.

There is an understanding of responsibility. There is a level of responsibility connected to the decisions and actions taken by leadership.

Leaders will answer to God for the direction of their leadership of God’s people.

Integrity

The Hebrew word translated integrity refers to “what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact” (BDB, 1977:1071). Integrity moves toward an application of the ethical uprightness of one wholly devoted to God (TWOT, 1999).

When integrity characterizes our leadership, imagine the impact. When people look to us and see an example of integrity, they see a leadership worth following.

The strength of our relationship with the others is based on character that emulates God as our Father. The desire to speak and act with integrity portrays a desire for truth, followed by an ethical uprightness of a heart wholly and completely devoted to God.

Integrity

Integrity goes beyond just being honest. It involves having strong moral principles and uprightness.

In Psalm 15 we learn the necessity of walking with integrity if we are to dwell on God’s holy hill. Walking indicates a lifestyle characterized by integrity.

There is an incorruptible nature to a spiritual leader who demonstrates integrity. They take responsibility for who they are, what they say, and what they do.

Walking with integrity involves an undivided and unshakeable character of Biblical soundness. This character is built in humility and follows a path of consistency.

Integrity stands for truth, speaks truth, lives the truth and will not change, even if it must do so alone.

A Loyal Leader

Loyalty is a vital characteristic in leadership. Leaders must be loyal to those they influence. How can leaders build the kind of loyalty needed to lead?

Demonstrate trust: The trust we have in God must be exemplified in our service. We must also learn to trust in others.

Develop consistency and integrity:
The decisions we make in leadership must be made with a consistent standard of integrity.

Dedicate the heart: Dedication involves the highest level of commitment. We must be dedicated to God, others, and reaching the goal.

These are three of many steps, but if we use them we can build a solid foundation for loyalty.

Leading with Character

Character is often the topic of posts. Consider the expression of character in the midst of this thought by Joey Potter.

“No matter where life takes you — big cities, small towns — you will inevitably run across small minds. People who think they are better than you, people who think that being pretty or popular automatically makes you a worthwhile human. None of these things matter as long as you have a strength of character, integrity… sense of pride. So when you meet someone for the first time, don’t judge them by their situation in life, because you never know, they may end up being your very best friend.”