Tag Honesty

Why Integrity Is Crucial to Effective Leadership

Steve Keating Leave a comment

I have written about this topic so many times it almost feels like I’m addicted to it. I keep writing about it because so many crappy, unethical people in leadership positions tell me it’s not that big of a deal. They are completely, utterly, often fatally wrong.

As wrong as wrong can be.

Of the many characteristics of authentic, effective leadership, integrity stands above them all. The fact is that absent integrity, there can be no true leadership. You can have a fancy title, a high-level position, and the nice corner office, but if you don’t have integrity, then you don’t have the number one requirement to authentically, effectively lead.

Integrity is a cornerstone of effective leadership because it builds trust, credibility, and respect—three things no leader, no true leader, can succeed without. When a leader consistently acts with honesty, keeps their word, and aligns their actions with their stated values, people know what to expect. That predictability creates a sense of security and reliability, which is critical for people and teams to function well, especially under pressure.

Without integrity, a leader’s words lose weight. If they say one thing but do another, or bend the truth for convenience, their people start to question their motives. Doubt creeps in, and loyalty erodes. A team that doesn’t trust its leader won’t fully commit—why would they if they can’t count on ethical treatment or clear direction? Over time, that lack of trust tanks morale and productivity.

Integrity also sets the tone for everyone else. Leaders are watched closely; their behavior signals what is acceptable. If they cut corners or dodge accountability, it trickles down—soon you have got a culture where no one owns their mistakes. But when a leader owns up, admits flaws, and sticks to principles even when it is hard, it inspires and encourages others to do the same.

That’s how you get a team that’s not just effective but resilient.

Research backs this up too—studies like those from the Center for Creative Leadership show that trust in leadership drives engagement and performance. And trust hinges on integrity more than charisma or even competence.

A leader can be brilliant, but if they’re shady, people won’t follow for long. Real-world examples prove this out: think of someone like Nelson Mandela, whose moral consistency turned skeptics into allies, versus leaders who’ve tanked organizations by prioritizing self-interest over principle.

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being real. People forgive missteps if they see genuine intent. But once integrity is gone, it’s a hell of a lot harder to win back than it was to lose. That’s why it’s non-negotiable for anyone trying to lead effectively.

I’ve seen so many people in leadership positions convince themselves that they could “get away” with cutting corners on ethics and integrity. That it was necessary “this one time.” And then the next time and the next.

They were wrong every single time. They negatively impacted their people, their organizations, and themselves. Some of them eventually figured out where they went wrong; some of them never did.

If you’re tempted to try and convince yourself that integrity is optional, or you’ve already succeeded in fooling yourself that it is, then you should know that failure is in your future. It’s only a matter of time.

So let me say this again: integrity is crucial to effective leadership. It always has been, and no matter what else changes in the world around us, it always will be.

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Why Ethics are Such a Big Deal in Business

Steve Keating Leave a comment

I should probably add “some” to the title of this post. As is, “Big Deal in Some Businesses.” Or I could have made the title “Why Ethics are Such a Big Deal to a Sustainable Business.” But I’d like to think that ethics matter to every business, and every business person, even though I know that’s not true.

Even a small group of unethical people can harm a once highly ethical organization. Ethics are fragile. They can slow down what seems to be progress at times. They can even seem to be expensive. That’s why some people simply don’t bother with them.

Some people are experts at justifying ethical lapses. They make a decision “for the business” that benefits them. They convince themselves it was ethical, even though it was not.

It was clearly an unethical decision but the passion with which they defend the decision is incredible to see. I sometimes think they actually believe themselves.

But, sustainable businesses cannot allow an unethical person’s passion, or even their results, to lessen the importance of ethics in their organization. Overlooking unethical behavior gets a business one thing and one thing only, it gets them more unethical behavior.

If you lead an organization, big or small, you must understand that unethical behavior will first weaken, and then destroy, its foundation. That’s not a guess, that’s not a maybe, that’s a fact.

There are a host of reasons why ethics are fundamentally important to a business, here’s the most important ones.

1. Trust and Reputation: Ethical behavior builds trust. It does so among customers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders. A company that is known for its ethical practices is more likely to attract and keep customers and talent. It will also have strong relationships with suppliers and partners. A good reputation is a big advantage. Ethical lapses can lead to scandals. Scandals damage a company’s reputation and erode customer loyalty.

2. Legal Compliance and Risk Management: Following ethics helps ensure obeying laws and rules. This reduces the risk of legal penalties, fines, and lawsuits. Ethical businesses are proactive. They identify and address potential legal issues. This can prevent costly lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny.

3. Employee Satisfaction and Retention: A strong ethical framework contributes to a positive workplace culture. When employees feel they are working for an ethical company, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and loyal. Ethical practices attract top talent and reduce turnover. This saves the company money on recruitment and training costs.

4. Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction: Ethical behavior builds customer loyalty. Customers prefer to do business with companies they perceive as honest and responsible. This loyalty leads to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth. These are crucial for long-term success.

5. Sustainability and Long-term Success: Ethical businesses often focus on sustainability, both in terms of environmental impact and long-term strategic planning. By considering the broader impact of their actions, these companies are set up for long-term success. They invest in sustainable practices. These practices may cost more at first, but they yield benefits. These benefits include brand loyalty, operational efficiency, and risk management.

6. Investor Confidence: Investors are increasingly looking at ethical considerations when making investment decisions. Investors see companies with strong ethics as lower-risk. This is because they are less likely to have legal, reputation, or operational problems from unethical practices.

7. Innovation and Creativity: Ethical companies often foster an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish. They encourage transparency and integrity. This creates a culture where employees feel safe to share ideas and take calculated risks. They have no fear of unethical repercussions.

8. Community and Social Impact: Ethical businesses recognize their responsibility to the communities in which they operate. Ethical practices help companies contribute to society. This can enhance their standing and create goodwill in the community and beyond.

Ethics are crucial for building a sustainable and successful business. They maintain trust. They ensure compliance. They foster a positive work environment. They secure customer and investor loyalty. By making ethics a priority, businesses can navigate challenges better. They can also build a strong base for future growth.

Ethics are the responsibility of every member of an organization. That’s an all day everyday responsibility. Once a year “training” in ethics does not absolve anyone of the responsibility to hold each other accountable to the highest of ethical standards.

The reality is every person in an organization must be ethical or the organization itself is not ethical. Think about that and you may be less willing to allow a person’s passion to explain away their lack of ethics.

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How to be Honest with Yourself…Honestly

Steve Keating 11 Comments

Oh no, what are you going to do now? You told yourself, and likely others, that you would do “it” next year. You said to yourself, “next year will be the year I take control of my future.” You told yourself that “next year will be different.”

Well now you, and anyone else you told, are about to find out if you were being honest with them…and yourself. You see that’s one of the biggest problems with lying to yourself, it causes you to lie to other people too. Even if you don’t intend to.

Self-improvement begins with you being 100% honest with yourself. No hedging, no compromises, no BS. Until you are completely honest with yourself you’re very unlikely to have the life that you want and deserve.

Being honest with yourself is a crucial aspect of personal growth and self-awareness. It involves acknowledging your thoughts, feelings, and actions without self-deception or rationalization. Here are some steps to help you be more honest with yourself.

Self-reflection

• Set aside time regularly to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

• Consider keeping a journal to document your experiences and insights. I’ve said this before but the journaling app on the iPhone is a great tool. It’s perfect for self-reflection.

Identify your values

• Understand your core values and principles. This will serve as a foundation for evaluating your actions and decisions. If you’re not sure what core values are then Google it. Don’t think for a minute that you don’t have core values because you certainly do. It just takes time to identify them and bring them to the top of your mind so you can live accordingly.

Acceptance

• Embrace all aspects of yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid judgment and self-criticism.

• Accept that everyone makes mistakes, and view them as opportunities for learning and growth. No one has ever learned from a mistake they refuse to admit… don’t be a no one.

Challenge your beliefs

• Question your assumptions, beliefs, and preconceived notions. Are they based on evidence, or are they influenced by bias or wishful thinking? The most successful know better than to believe everything they think.

Seek feedback

• Ask for honest feedback from trusted friends, family members, or mentors. They may provide valuable perspectives you might not have considered.

Be accountable

• Take responsibility for your actions and decisions. Avoid blaming external factors or other people for your circumstances. If you’re good at making excuses it will be highly likely that you’re not good at making anything else.

Set realistic goals

• Establish achievable and meaningful goals for yourself. Regularly assess your progress and adjust your goals as needed. It is okay to occasionally set a big stretch goal, just don’t do it so often that it prevents you from achieving more realistic goals.

Listen to your intuition

• Pay attention to your gut feelings and instincts. These can provide valuable insights into your true thoughts and emotions.

Admit when you’re wrong

• Be open to admitting mistakes and learning from them. This requires humility and a willingness to grow.

Learn from failures

• View failures as opportunities to learn and improve. Analyze what went wrong, and use that knowledge to make better choices in the future.

Practice self-compassion

• Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. Understand that nobody is perfect, and self-improvement is a continuous journey.

Being honest with yourself is an ongoing process. It requires self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth. Regularly reassess your thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs to ensure alignment with your values and goals.

That creates an easy, constructive and completely honest conversation with yourself and that’s the beginning of honest conversations with everyone.

Why Integrity Matters

Steve Keating 2 Comments

I had a disturbing conversation recently with someone who is very proud of their integrity and reputation. Actually the conversation was disturbing precisely because they claimed to be so proud of their integrity and the credibility that came with in.

We were discussing a sales opportunities. This person had several “ideas” on what they could do to “tip the scales” in their favor. I pointed out that most of the ideas crossed the line into unethical territory. Some were even borderline illegal. He said sometimes you need to “set integrity and ethics aside” in order to make a sale. He said it’s all part of business. He said setting aside integrity for the sake of business does not make a person unethical.

I immediately cut off the conversation and said setting aside ethics proves, without a doubt, that you are unethical. Period. End of story. You are either ethical all the time or you are not ethical.

With all due respect to my friends and colleagues who have written books entitled “Situational Integrity,” “Workplace Ethics” or any such malarkey, you’re just not thinking clearly on this. There cannot be one set of ethics from 9 to 5 in the office and then another set of ethics for the evening or weekend. Because, you are either ethical all the time, all the time, as in every minute of every day, or you are not ethical at all.

Integrity and ethics are fundamental principles that matter in both business and life for a variety of reasons. First, they serve as the moral compass that guides our decisions and actions. Second, they ensure that we behave responsibly and honestly. There are no circumstances where integrity and ethics don’t matter. Here’s why:

• Integrity and ethics build trust, which is a cornerstone of any successful personal or business relationship. When people know they can rely on your word and actions, they are more likely to trust and respect you. Trust is also essential in business as it leads to customer loyalty and a positive reputation in the marketplace.

• Ethical behavior promotes long-term success. Unethical decisions might provide short-term gains, but they often lead to negative consequences in the future. By conducting business with integrity, you create a sustainable foundation for growth and stability.

• Many laws and regulations exist to enforce ethical standards in business. Failing to adhere to these standards can result in legal consequences, fines, and damage to your reputation. By maintaining high ethical standards, you reduce the risk of legal troubles and associated costs.

• Ethical business practices foster a positive work environment. When employees know that their organization values integrity and ethics, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged. This, in turn, leads to increased productivity and lower turnover rates.

• Customers are more likely to support and remain loyal to businesses that operate ethically. When they perceive a company as honest and transparent, they are more willing to make repeat purchases. They are also more likely to recommend the business to others.

• In a competitive marketplace, ethical behavior can be a significant differentiator. Businesses that consistently operate with integrity can stand out from the competition. They attract customers who prioritize ethical considerations.

• Ethical businesses often engage in socially responsible practices. Things such as environmental sustainability, fair labor practices, and community engagement. These actions contribute to the betterment of society and enhance a company’s image.

• In life, practicing integrity and ethics brings personal fulfillment and a sense of self-worth. Living by your values and principles can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.

• Whether in business or life, ethical behavior fosters positive relationships. It helps you build strong, lasting connections with others based on trust and respect.

Possessing integrity and being ethical make for good business. They also make for a great life. They help shape a positive and sustainable future for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. If you’re willing to trade your commitment to integrity and ethics for a short-term personal gain then you’ve made yourself one horrible trade.

Want more of LeadToday? I’ve changed things up on my Twitter feed for subscribers. I recently began publishing two or three videos each week focusing on an element of Authentic Leadership. I’ll post these videos each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Sometimes a bonus video pops up at other times during the week. They will be about 10 minutes long so we can get into the topic in a more meaningful way. The investment for subscribers in still only $4.99 a month. That’s for at least 80 MINUTES of quality video content on leadership a month.

If you’re interested in taking a look, head on over to my Twitter profile page. If you’re not a follower yet just hit the follow button. It will change to a subscribe button and once you hit that you’re on your way. You can cancel at any time you’ve decided you have nothing left to learn about leading the people who you count on for your success.

Here’s the link to my Twitter… https://twitter.com/leadtoday

Working With Disingenuous People

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Dealing with people who use “alternate facts” can be a difficult and complex task. Sometimes the alternate facts are meant to “protect” the person they have been shared with. Other times the alternate facts are small in nature, these are often called little white lies. Occasionally, your relationship with the “truth challenged” individual is so insignificant that it doesn’t matter if they are living in some alternate universe.

But sometimes being lied to is a big deal. It severely, and many times, permanently damages your relationship with the disingenuous person. In those cases the worst thing you can do is ignore the lie, and the liar. Both must be dealt with in a timely and straightforward manner.

But calling out disingenuous people and exposing their lies is not an easy or comfortable thing to do. Here are a few tips that may help.

  1. Recognize the signs: The first step in dealing with a liar is to recognize that they are lying. Look for inconsistencies in their stories, changes in their body language or tone of voice, and any other signs that they may not be telling the truth. You could of course also wait for their pants to catch on fire but unfortunately that doesn’t happen in real life.
  1. Stay calm: It can be tempting to become angry or confrontational when you catch someone in a lie, but this can often make the situation worse. Try to stay calm and avoid getting defensive or aggressive.
  1. Confront the liar: Once you have recognized that someone is lying, it is important to confront them about it. Be direct and specific about what you believe to be untrue, and give them a chance to explain themselves.
  1. Listen to their side: While it is important to be clear about what you believe to be untrue, it is also important to listen to the other person’s side of the story. They may have a legitimate explanation for their behavior or actions.
  1. Set boundaries: If someone has lied to you repeatedly or about something significant, it may be necessary to set boundaries in your relationship with them. This could include limiting your contact with them or ending the relationship altogether.
  1. Seek outside help: If you are dealing with a chronic liar or a particularly difficult situation, it may be helpful to seek outside help. This could include therapy, mediation, or involving a third party such as a counselor or trusted friend.

Ultimately, the best way to deal with liars is to be aware of the signs, stay calm, and confront them directly. By setting clear boundaries and seeking outside help if necessary, you can protect yourself from the negative effects of lying and maintain healthy relationships with those around you.

Want more of LeadToday? I’ve changed things up on my Twitter feed for subscribers. I recently began publishing two or three videos each week focusing on an element of Authentic Leadership. I’ll post these videos each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Sometimes a bonus video pops up at other times during the week. They will be about 10 minutes long so we can get into the topic in a more meaningful way. The investment for subscribers in still only $4.99 a month. That’s for at least 80 MINUTES of quality video content on leadership a month. 

If you’re interested in taking a look, head on over to my Twitter profile page. If you’re not a follower yet just hit the follow button. It will change to a subscribe button and once you hit that you’re on your way. You can cancel at any time you’ve decided you have nothing left to learn about leading the people who you count on for your success. 

Here’s the link to my Twitter… https://twitter.com/leadtoday 

How to Lead and How Not to Lead – another post in that periodic series 

Steve Keating Leave a comment

As usual, let’s talk about the how not to lead first…

Leadership without integrity is an impossibility. So if your goal is to NOT be mistaken for a leader then don’t worry about saying one thing and doing another. Things change. You also have the right to change your mind any time you want to. For any reason you want to. It’s nobody’s business but your own. 

As someone in a leadership position you owe no one an explanation for saying one thing and doing another. If someone doesn’t like it that’s their problem, not yours. People who you are supposed to be leading should learn your word is worthless. They should just fall in line and go with the flow.  

Everybody knows that sometimes keeping your commitments is impossible and people need to be adaptable. Honoring commitments is so old fashioned that it’s hysterical anyone still expects it. People who expect you to actually lead need to get a clue! 

Trying to explain your decisions or thought process to the people you are supposed to be leading makes you look weak. It makes you look foolish. Worse yet, it makes you look like someone who might care about what your people think of you. 

Never forget, the people you boss around are the “little people” and there is no point in trying to explain your big thoughts to the likes of them. 

Of course, there is also the possibility that you actually DO want to lead. In that case you may want to do things a little differently. 

Things do indeed change and when they do you should be the first one to acknowledge it. You MUST alert people the instant you become aware of the change. Delaying only casts doubt on your credibility. You need to explain why the change is taking place and how it will affect your people. 

If you can’t honor your commitments, you need to apologize. That apology is not a sign of weakness. It is exactly the opposite. It is a sign of strength. It is a sign of your authenticity as a leader. You should also explain why you can’t honor that particular commitment and reaffirm the importance of your overall commitment to the people you lead. 

Failure to do any of that will result in a lack of respect and loyalty. It will also destroy your trust producing credibility. It erases your integrity. 

Authentic Leaders know that absent credibility, trust, and integrity, there can be no true followership. And without followers you are not a leader, no matter what your position and title says. 

On a another note… Everyone can use a “nudge” towards success. I’m trying something new on Twitter. It’s called “Super Followers.” For $5 a month, that’s 17 cents a day, people can follow a part of my Twitter stream that is for subscribers only. It features short videos of me discussing leadership topics, sales tips and ideas for better overall relationships. I’m assuming there will be far fewer Super Followers than the million or so people who regularly follow me on Twitter. That will give me the opportunity to answer questions more throughly than I can on regular Twitter. Most of the answers will come in the evening cause we all have day jobs, right? Think of it as ”mentoring on demand!”

My goal with SuperFollowers is to build a better connection, one where I can help more and have a greater impact. I’m hoping it gives me a chance to mentor to a wider audience. It’s still new, we’ll see how it works. It’s a $5 dollar investment that may be the extra “push” you need to get to where you want to be. I’d be honored to be able to help get you there. 

You can find more information by clicking the Super Follow button on my Twitter profile page IN THE TWITTER APP. http://twitter.com/leadtoday Give it a try if you’re so inclined, and if you are, be sure to let me know how I’m doing and how I can be of even more help.

How Trust is Really Built

Steve Keating 1 Comment

I’m not sure why but I’ve seen a ton of blog posts and various articles lately about building trust. Most of them are about particular words you either should or shouldn’t use if you want to build trust. 

Some of them talk about tone of voice or making eye contact when you want someone to know you’re being particularly truthful. I love that word combo “particularly truthful.”

Imagine someone writing about building trust and in the article seeming to indicate that sometimes you’re more truthful than others. When you want to convince someone you can be trusted then you should be “particularly truthful.” They don’t explain what you should be the rest of the time so I’m left to wonder about it. 

What surprises me about every single article and post I’ve read the last few weeks on building trust, and there have been many of them, is that not a single one of them talked about being trustworthy. The talk about using “trustable” words and phrases. A few even talked about behaving in a certain way to convince people you can be trusted. 

But not one said to build trust by actually being trustworthy. 

To me being trustworthy is saying exactly what you mean and doing exactly what you say. All the time. It’s about honoring your commitments, every commitment. All the time. 

When your words match your actions, even if not everyone agrees with them, you will be trusted. 

If you’re forced to use certain words for people to trust you then I’d have to say it’s possible you’re not trustworthy. If you have to behave in any other way than being your normal self then it’s very possible that people shouldn’t really trust you. 

If you want to be trusted then don’t say yes when you know your actions are going to show you meant no. Don’t commit to doing something today when you know darn well it’s unlikely you’re going to be able to do it today. 

Trust isn’t built on what we say, it’s built on what we do. There’s no need to read a bunch of articles on how to be trusted. All you need to do is be trustworthy. 

One other thing, if you’re wondering how you can tell if someone else can be trusted there is only one sure way to know. Trust them, they will quickly show you if your trust is deserved or not. 

On a another subject…I’m trying something new over on Twitter. It’s called “Super Followers.” For $5 a month, that’s 17 cents a day, people can follow a part of my Twitter stream that is for subscribers only. It features short videos of me discussing leadership topics, sales tips and ideas for better overall relationships. I’m assuming there will be far fewer Super Followers than regular Twitter followers. That will give me the opportunity to answer questions more throughly than I can on regular Twitter. Most of the answers will come in the evening cause we all have day jobs, right? Think of it as ”mentoring on demand!”

My goal with SuperFollowers is to build a better connection, one where I can perhaps help more and have a greater impact. I’m hoping it gives me a chance to mentor to a wider audience. It’s still new, we’ll see how it works. It’s a $5 dollar investment that may just be the extra “push” you need to get to where you want to be. I’d be honored to be able to help get you there. 

You can find more information by clicking the Super Follow button on my Twitter profile page IN THE TWITTER APP. http://twitter.com/leadtoday Give it a try if you’re so inclined, and if you are, be sure to let me know how I’m doing and how I can be of even more help.