Integrity: {the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.} My definition has always been doing the right thing when nobody is looking. But I believe that my definition is too narrow. Because most leaders have the luxury to work independently from those they lead. So I would amend my definition in this way; to doing the right thing when even when you think no one is looking. And there is a big difference. Because as soon as you think no one is looking you have already failed as a leader. Indeed, this is a brittle ridge to walk on because there is always danger in doing something just because people are looking. Many leaders smile, wave, and dance in front of the camera but everyone knows that they are walking time bomb of rage. Ethical behavior must be motivated by the desire to do what is right all of the time. Well, even deeper, to do what is right for others, all of the time. Service is providing a moment where people are exalted from their current situation and experience the liberation of feeling empowered to live better. This desire comes from a genuine motivation to see others develop their talents and skills to the highest level possible. And our influence as leaders will be drastically hindered if people see us doing something that is inconsistent with the caliber of leadership we are modeling. In other words we should always been seen as someone who is reaching higher. As someone who is always trying to go to a higher level...living in the place were we plan to be even though we aren't there yet. Whether we aware of it or not, people are watching us. They are watching to see if we are who we really are. As a leader, ask yourself this question, is what I've done today, what I would want those I lead to do as well? Somebody will always be looking at what you do, so it might as well be the one whose investigation and scrutiny will help you the most, yourself.
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