As the saying goes, leaders with integrity do the right thing when no one is looking.
Integrity drives you to the right thing because it is the correct thing to do; not always the easiest thing, and based in truth.
Be very wary when surrounded by people, who instead of saying the truth, they will say what you want to hear.
Scared of the truth?
A great leader who has integrity is ready to hear the truth and is not afraid of it. This is known as the reality principle. They accept the world as it really is and not as he or she wishes it to be.
Truth telling and receiving may possibly by the utmost vital principle of being a great leader. Rely on your integrity because being honest and truthful is also necessary for learning, growing and understanding.
Proverbs 9:9-10 says, “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Some organizations and companies fail in this area or at least lack the cultural value within it to pursue cold hard, reality. Integrity means to tell the truth; it doesn’t matter if the truth is bitter. It is always better, to be honest.
As a leader, questioning your own assumptions and conclusions is a good sharpening tool. Gather good people around you that you trust and ask them to be blunt and constructive with you in areas they see a need for improvement. Listening to trusted counselors can be the difference in following self-assured wrong direction and turning toward a hard truth which sometimes hurts but leads to right paths and success.