Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, co-authors of The Leadership Challenge, have spent decades studying what people most admire in their leaders. Their research, encompassing responses from over 75,000 individuals worldwide, consistently reveals that honesty is the most sought-after leadership trait.
In fact, approximately 88% of respondents identified honesty as the single most important characteristic they look for in someone they would willingly follow.
Recently, I delivered a keynote to a group of about 300 executives, focusing on the key characteristics of outstanding leaders. When I highlighted Kouzes and Posner’s findings on honesty, a woman in the audience raised her hand and asked, “If honesty is so critical, why do we see so many leaders today who don’t tell the truth?”
My answer was that even though these people might have followers, they are not true leaders.
They are not role models of what to aspire to as a leader. In many cases they are an example of exactly what not to do. However, even when others around you are dishonest, your commitment to honesty should remain unwavering. It’s a reflection of your moral framework and personal values. If they choose to lie, there is little you can do about that. All that you can control is how you walk through the world.
I once worked with a CEO who told his team, “No one ever got fired here for telling the truth.”
He didn’t just say it, he lived it. He encouraged open dialogue, welcomed dissenting opinions, and acknowledged his own mistakes. His authenticity created a culture of trust and accountability. His integrity was never in question. Everyone knew that if he said it, it was the truth.
Honesty isn’t always easy, but it’s always necessary. Your actions set the tone for your organization. By embodying honesty in every decision and interaction, you not only earn the trust of those you lead but also inspire them to uphold the same standard.
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