There are well-studied and documented characteristics considered common to great leaders.

These generally include, but are not limited to having:

• A well-defined Vision
• Achieved Major Results
• Strong Communications
• The ability to Inspire and Motivate

and, such greats are invariably Articulate.

In addition to such characteristics top leaders often demonstrate considerable skill-sets, which include:

• Delegating
• Problem-solving
• Planning
• Organizing
• And a dozen more. See my book, here.

Yet there is one Quality that I feel provides a fundamental foundation to truly top leaders. It is the bedrock upon which many have built. This is Integrity.

Integrity sits at the core of many truly great cultures, large or small. Where this exists it can permeate behavior and belief at every level.

Boards and executive staffs can more readily foresee direction and decisions. Inevitability pervades many situations, in a good sense.

Where integrity is left wanting the personnel fall into a few basic categories. Those that:

• Accept lower standards and think this is normal

Who can really trust or want to work with these folks?

• Want to escape and do

And so further diminish the last vestiges of this quality.

• Feel (or are) trapped in the circumstances

They will often resent or even fear their workplace.

The benefits of having integrity central to your culture are many.

An environment of integrity lightens everyone’s load. The workplace feels inherently more Secure, Dependable, Safe, Welcoming, Trustworthy, Supportive, and more.

In addition, customers more readily learn to trust suppliers from such cultures. It is easier to build relationships. A sense of fair play and justice pervades all transactions, making partnerships and win-win resolutions more central to business; efficiencies abound.

Integrity is not a thing of convenience. It cannot have two faces. It exists, or it does not.

Should you already work in such an environment, enjoy the privilege(s). If not, do your part to infuse the quality and surround your position. After all, you can still enjoy many of the personal benefits of reputation, described above.

And if you lead many and strongly influence culture, you have an opportunity to build something truly worthy, through your integrity.