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Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Nour Saqqa argues that integrity is key to becoming a better leader, and outlines the path to achieve a reputation that will earn the trust of others.

 

Did you know that your greatest personal asset is the way that others know you? That’s right, it’s your reputation. Your reputation can be the reason why you get promoted or fired. And in today’s academic and business worlds, if you want to set yourself apart from others and be noticed as an up-and-coming leader, you need to invest in the most important trait that’s associated with having a good reputation and being a great leader—integrity.

 

Integrity involves being honest and moral and trustworthy and consistent. A person with integrity is not only accountable, self-aware and responsible, but also makes ethical decisions in any given situation. Those who have integrity become magnets, attracting people and opportunities. 

 

Let’s face it, people will not buy anything from or follow individuals they don’t trust. So, what are three actions you can take today to help you become a better leader? 

• Keep Your Word 

 

Words are powerful — but actions are even more powerful. With words, you can convey a willingness to do something. But how you act actually demonstrates your level of willingness. Whenever you — or anyone — say you will do something, others expect you to do it. 

 

When you choose not to honour your commitments enough times, you will often find others running in the other direction when they see you. When, however, you honour your word and follow through on commitments, others are more likely to trust that you will do so in the future. 

 

Honouring your word establishes you as reliable and trustworthy. It also allows you to have more influence on others in both your social life and at work. This means that more people will listen to what you have to say. 

 

Whether or not you choose to keep your word not only impacts your relationships, but also the overall strength of your character. It’s easy to make promises and break them. When, however, you choose to keep your promises, each act of integrity strengthens your character.

• Live in Truth and Analyze Your Key Relationships Regularly

 

To live in truth with yourself, you must live in truth with each person in your life. It means refusing to say or do something that you don’t believe is right. It means refusing to stay in any situation where you’re unhappy with the behaviour of another person because you refuse to compromise your values. 

 

Part of being able to live in truth with yourself and others involves becoming more self-aware — being able to see yourself more accurately by better understanding who you are and what your values are, how you situate yourself in this world and what motivates you.

 

Becoming more self-aware is one of the most powerful ways to grow as a leader. For instance, in a book titled Leading So People Will Follow, Erika Andersen discovers that individuals who are more self-aware become more successful leaders.   

• Study People of Strong Character

 

Sometimes, the best way to learn is through example. This can involve learning through observation or through reading about and studying other people’s success stories. This also applies to developing integrity. 

 

You can develop yours by studying people of strong character like Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Vishen Lakhiani, and Jay Shetty—leaders whose core values and business ethics have allowed them to change the world. 

 

How many of these actions will you practice today? 

 

While developing your integrity and becoming a better leader does not happen overnight, implementing a strategy that involves incorporating specific daily practices into your lifestyle will help you become a better leader. 

 

All you soon-to-be great leaders out there: what will you do to make yourself into the person you know you can be? Or are you already there? Tell us about your journey in the comments below, or on any of our social media channels!