Servant leaders can enhance their relationships by choosing to model the behaviors of love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. The seventh behavior mentioned is honesty.

Honesty is being free from deception. This behavior is critically important for leaders in building trust and relationships. In his book “EntreLeadership”, Dave Ramsey mentions the term fanatical integrity. I believe fanatical integrity best describes how a servant leader should look at the behavior of honesty.

So what does fanatical integrity look like? It is certainly more than just not telling lies. That is what most people would think about when considering the behavior of honesty. It is far more than that.

Fanatical integrity might also include:

• Openly communicating all appropriate information with your people
• Modeling the way by coming to work on time and being available for your people
• Always working efficiently and productively
• Refraining from doing personal business on company time
• Appropriately compensating your people according to market and their worth
• Staying consistent to your values in every situation

Not doing any of these things could be considered being less than honest. As I said honesty is more than just not telling lies.

Honesty also entails the need to be a truth teller at times when telling a person the truth might not be what they want to hear, but is what they NEED to hear.  Having those tough conversations with people, sharing truths with the intent for correction and improvement is another important aspect of a servant leader. This too will drive trust and relationships over the long run.

I encourage you to be intentional about fanatical integrity this week, and know that you will definitely be advancing your trust levels and relationships with your people. Then make it a habit!

Mark Deterding