#1 - Leading with Integrity - The How

What does leading with INTEGRITY look like and how do you leverage it as a leader?  Think about the following question and how, as a leader, you would answer or handle.

1)  You need to fire a person on your team for an ethics violation.  It is very personal for the employee being fired.  How do you communicate it to your management team with INTEGITY?  How do you communicate it to the whole team with INTEGRITY?

• Management Team: It is absolutely critical to include the management team in the conversations regarding the termination and communication to the rest of the team.  If the reason for the termination is confidential, then it is up to you as a leader to ensure you can communicate to both the management team as well as the remaining without violating confidences.  In this instance, it is appropriate to tell the management team that this is a Human Resources specific issue and options have been reviewed and the decision is that the employee was released from the company.  Discuss with the management team ask their opinions regarding the contents of the message to convey to the rest of the team.  Your inclusion of the management team will ensure they support the company and the decision and they will understand their part in communicating to the staff.  The management team is also be closer to their teams and may add insight regarding the team's response.  Your management team will know the best way to communicate to the team; all together or as individual teams. All this information is necessary for you as a leader to guide the situation to a successful conclusion. This will build trust with you and your management team because you acted with INTEGRITY.
• Remaining Team Members:  If you have a management team, follow the pre-determined plan for communication and be supportive of your management team and the remaining team members as needed.  This builds trust across the team and shows them your INTEGRITY. If this team report to you directly, plan your communication and deliver it with honesty and the information that is permitted.  Assess their response and continue individual communication as needed.  Do not jeopardize your INTEGRITY by releasing confidential information or elaborating on details unnecessarily.  This will cause mistrust and will end your ability to lead with INTEGRITY.

There are several times in history where leaders have suffered due to decisions made without INTEGRITY.  To name just one, Watergate and President Nixon.  Because President Nixon was caught in lies and acted with lack of INTEGRITY, the nation lost trust in him and he was forced to resign. 

Leaders show their INTEGRITY through sound decisions, admitting their mistakes, and by putting what is best for their followers ahead of their personal agendas.