Managing with Integrity

Managing with Integrity

Rodney Baker

Saint Leo University

I have been managing for a number of years and find that placing value in integrity can be beneficial to any kind of company. I would consider it a core value to ones leadership ability and foundation from which to manage. It’s not always expressed outwardly and I am leery of any manager that voices that they “value integrity” all the time. Any manager that truly values integrity, does so without drawing attention to them self. Employees and leadership alike respond to their direction without pushing or prodding because they live it by example. They work behind the scenes building, shaping, and mentoring those around them and build teams that are effective.

Integrity is being honest, holding a higher standard of ethics, and being morally sound (Dictionary.com). That sounds easy on paper, but realistically, is very difficult for some people in leadership. Being a high profile company leader isn’t for everyone. Especially for those that like to have a good time and be part of the crowd. A recent Christmas party, a senior director was out with a group of employees and things got a little out of hand. At some point in the evening he was allegedly signing some of the female employee’s chest with a Sharpie pen. I don’t think it went beyond that, but it was clearly out of line and lacked good moral judgment. He was questioned and resigned shortly afterward. Now there is a pending law suit and the company has had to rethink their hiring practices.

For a manager to help his or her team, they have to make a conscious decision to maintain honesty, integrity, and doing what is right no matter the circumstances. Integrity requires that a manager makes the right choice, even when there is no personal gain. Managers have to place any personal agendas out of the way for the betterment of the company and the employees. When a manager can maintain integrity by their actions, their teams will respond by...