Leaving a Legacy

Business leaders are under tremendous pressure to produce results. As individuals advance in the organization, bottom line results become the supreme measure of success.

Yet one of the most important achievements of a leader is producing another generation of leaders. Too few executives cultivate successors that are as good or better leaders than they are. Great leaders have a vision of the future and develop others who will refine the vision. There are many examples of forward-thinking, talented men and women who could not get others to follow their vision. Why?

People must trust the leader before they trust the vision. Trust must be earned, one person at a time. People decide in their hearts how much of themselves they will give to their work based on the character of their leaders. The larger the organization, the easier it is to overlook this truth.

The leadership dynamic can be illustrated by a triangle divided into four horizontal sections. The base is integrity; the next section is vision, then inspiration. At the pinnacle is influence, the ability to effect change in a sphere of responsibility. When leadership is based on a solid foundation of integrity, followers develop belief and trust in the leader.

Now the leader must bring a compelling vision. A leader's integrity and vision inspire confidence and energize people to produce their best. Only then does the leader achieve solid, stable influence within the organization.

Too often, we focus on and applaud a person's ability to deliver results based on personality, position or, perhaps, by force. Leaders can exert influence without integrity as the stabilizing force. Inevitably, however, an upside down triangle will topple.

Truth is, integrity is the most critical characteristic of an effective leader. Integrity is honest, moral and ethical behavior. It's understanding your core values and beliefs and living them. It's consistency

Leaders must demonstrate integrity in everyday situations. "Little things" indicate lack of integrity. Examples: blowing off a scheduled meeting, forgetting a promise, not demonstrating respect to a subordinate, not listening.

When a leader lacks integrity, followers can't grow or thrive. Subordinates have difficulty believing this person truly cares about them and their development. There's a cloud of doubt hanging in the atmosphere. It may not be enough to prevent followers from coming to work and making things happen. But a leader's lack of integrity prevents people from being energized, working at their full potential, and developing into effective leaders themselves.

Consequently, an individual foundation of integrity becomes essential to raising up other leaders. The process that produces great leaders entails continuous character development, fine-tuning interpersonal skills, and placing the highest premium on integrity. Because a truly great leader leaves a legacy of other great leaders.

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VJ Holcomb Associates specializes in Executive Coaching. We work with highly talented individuals and groups to help them utilize their gifts and abilities to perform at the greatest level of influence and impact in the workplace.