Integrity

The concept

The word integrity comes from the Latin integer - whole, intact. A person of integrity is “of one piece”: their words, values and deeds form a coherent whole, and their behaviour does not change depending on whether anyone is watching.

The leader's credibility

Since the 1980s James Kouzes and Barry Posner have asked thousands of people around the world which qualities they look for in a leader they would willingly follow. Honesty consistently comes first, alongside competence, inspiration and being forward-looking. They summed up their findings in the principle that credibility is the foundation of leadership, and its practical measure is whether the leader “does what they say they will do” (DWYSYWD). See trust.

Integrity in Scripture

• Jesus sharply criticises the hypocrisy of religious leaders: they preach but do not practise (Matt 23:3).
• “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (Matt 5:37).
• Samuel, stepping down from office, publicly asks the people whether he has wronged or defrauded anyone - and they testify to his honesty (1 Sam 12:1-5). It is a biblical model of a leader's accountability.

Where integrity is tested

• money - see financial and managerial transparency;
• power - the temptation to use one's position for oneself (see power and influence);
• relationships - boundaries, loyalty, keeping confidences;
• promises - even small, missed deadlines undermine trust;
• truth - hiding mistakes, “embellishing” results.

Practices

• clearly named values and regular checking whether decisions are consistent with them;
• accountability to the team and superiors (relationship with the Church superior);
• admitting mistakes (humility);
• keeping one's word in small things;
• the examination of conscience as a daily practice.

See also the leader's character, authentic leadership.