Integrity and authenticity are often spoken about as key facets of leadership.

The dictionary definition of integrity is adherence to ethical or moral principles.  But from whose perception?

Whilst you might believe you’ve acted with integrity someone looking from a different perspective might see something very different. So how do you lead with integrity when people have different values, beliefs and principles from which to judge you?

The first step is to really know yourself. Know your own values and beliefs and understand which of these values will define the sort of leader you are or want to become. Recognise which values are lines in the sand, the ones that really define you, and which values are more flexible – where you can stretch them according to the situation.

Then share them.

Other people values will be different and they will generally judge your level of integrity from their frame of reference. Once people know your values, what you stand for, what you believe in, even if they don’t like you or disagree with you, they will at least know why you behave or act in a certain way in certain situations.

Integrity is about being true to yourself. Demonstrating integrity is about others knowing you are being true to yourself.