Leadership Zone with Dr. Godwyns Agbude: Why Leaders Fail (2)
By Godwyns Agbude
2. Lack of Integrity:
Integrity has to do with honesty, accountability, truthfulness, and consistency in keeping to personal commitments (promises) among others.
Lack of integrity is a potent catalyst for leadership failure, as it undermines trust and damages the credibility of those in charge. When leaders deviate from ethical principles, engage in dishonest practices, or prioritize personal gain over the well-being of the organization or of the followers, the consequences can be severe.
Deceiving your team members, taking advantage of them, changing the goalpost in the middle of the game, sitting on their promotion, taking what belongs to them etc. are examples of lack of integrity. Consider a CEO who conceals financial irregularities to maintain a positive image in the short term. Once such dishonesty is exposed, it not only tarnishes the leader’s reputation but also erodes trust among employees and stakeholders. Without integrity, leaders risk alienating their teams and jeopardizing the very foundation on which successful leadership depends.
Upholding ethical standards is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for sustaining long-term success in any leadership role. As a leader, embrace integrity, it pays off eventually! Be truthful in your relationship with your followers! Let your yes be yes, and your no be no!
