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
Mark,
Great message and challenge for the week and life as a whole. I share your blog with the leadership team here at Cenveo. You continue to change lives by taking the time to share what God has placed in your spirit. I talk often of your leadership. Yesterday Greg Suek started at Cenveo as a Client Service rep and we talked about your leadership and also Andy Johnson. I haven’t met Andy yet; however, it sounds like he is a class gentlemen as well.
Have a blessed week and keep the great news coming!
Blessings,
Steve
Steve,
Thanks for the comments! Congratulations on hiring Greg. He is an outstanding young man! I had the opportunity to work for many years with his Dad, John, who was one of the great ones in the industry.
You have an awesome week as well.
Mark