As a leader, you always have to set an example for your colleagues and employees. Everything you do – the way you talk, the way you behave towards others, the attitude you show towards the work you do – will set an example for everyone around you of what is appropriate and what is not.
Because of that, it’s vital that you set a mostly positive example whenever you show up at the office. In this article, we will help you do just that. In the text below, we will take a look at some examples of integrity in the workplace that will inspire you to become a better leader and hopefully give you inspiration on the little things you can do that will make you a role model in the eyes of your employees.
Five Great Integrity Examples to Inspire You
Having a toxic workplace culture will surely lead your company down a path you want to avoid. As a leader, it’s up to you to set the gold standard for how employees behave when they’re at work. Below, we will give you five integrity examples that you can showcase so that everyone around you understands what’s expected of them whenever they’re in the office.
However, before we begin with examples, let’s first start off by listing what a person of integrity is expected to do:
- Be dependable and responsible
- Be considerate of others
- Have good ethics
- Show patience and respect
- Be self-aware and honest
- Be hard-working and willing to do the right thing
- Have sound judgment
- Be trustworthy
Now that you know what being a “person of integrity” entails, let’s take a look at some integrity examples in the workplace.
Show Up on Time
This may seem trivial and even obvious, but it’s one of the key things a leader should do. If you’re constantly showing up late, you’re basically saying that it’s okay to do so to the rest of your employees. On the other hand, getting to work on time shows that you respect the company, your duties, and your colleagues. It sets an example for everyone else – once your employees know that you will be in the office at 9 a.m sharp every day, they’re likely to follow along and also show up on time.
Keep Your Promises
Underpromise and overdeliver. You need to remember this saying and adhere to it at all times. As a leader, it’s tempting to promise your employees everything, especially if you want to impress or inspire them. However, making promises you cannot keep will make everyone around you doubt every word you say while also diminishing the trust and respect they had for you.
A far better idea is to make only promises that you will know you will keep. That way, your colleagues, employees, and clients will all trust and respect you. You will be known as someone who keeps his word and is able to deliver on what he promises. Along with that, if you ever get into a situation where something stops you from keeping your promise, then let the person or people know in advance. Apologize and explain why you couldn’t do it – at least that way, you will have been honest from the start until the end.
Admit Your Failures
A popular saying goes something like this: “Honesty is the best policy.” It’s true, not only when it comes to working matters, but also in your personal life.
If you’re unable to do something, it’s better to admit it than pretend you can do it. If you took on a task that you can’t handle, it’s better to admit you took on too much and ask for help instead of doing it poorly, just for the sake of doing it on your own. Along with that, as a leader, you’re bound to make a mistake – ask for a report you’ve already received, predict something that never ends up happening, etc. Those things are normal, and they happen all the time. In such situations, the best you can do is admit you made a mistake. It makes you more honorable and more human, and it helps employees trust you more, as they know you’re open to admitting your failures. It also gives them permission to do the same without fearing that it will lead to your disapproval.
Deal With Conflict Professionally
Conflicts at the workplace are common and happen fairly often, especially if you work amongst people who genuinely love their job and care for what they do. Being able to deal with conflict professionally without disrespecting anyone is critical. Essentially, that entails not making manners personal by insulting someone’s character but instead looking at what caused the conflict and trying to find a suitable solution without letting emotions get involved.
Be Accountable
Being a person of integrity is all about supporting the people around you and being self-aware. It’s easy to just get stuck in your daily tasks and forget about everyone else. However, being accountable is the opposite. It means accepting responsibility for the work everyone is doing in an effort to produce positive results. As a manager, you will always be the one held responsible for the result your team produces. If you don’t like being held accountable for “something you didn’t do,” then you need to not isolate yourself, but instead, get in the process and collaborate with your entire team. Show genuine interest and care for what they do, give them tips, follow their progress, and so by the end, you will feel like their work is yours as well. You will feel great about being accountable for it.
If you want to learn even more about fundamental business principles and integrity in the workplace, head over to the Camberlion blog for more insightful articles.