What level of accomplishment, or power, warrants sacrificing character? Don’t trade your integrity for political or market gain.
This blog posting contains my LinkedIn posts for the week of May 3 to May 7, 2021. The topics covered were: the true wealth of marriage, good intentions vs. poor execution, unreleased anger, arrogance, and the importance of integrity. Truly for leaders, actions speak louder than words, therefore, don’t trade your integrity!
True wealth
After a divorce announcement, someone posted:
“If two of the world’s richest men cannot stay married, what hope is there for the rest of us?!”
Actually, this sarcastic quote points to what many know already.
Deep, lasting, encouraging, and fulfilling relationships are built on shared values and unshakable commitment to each other. Material wealth isn’t the deciding factor.
Similarly, Proverbs 18.22 observes that whoever finds a wife finds good. And, by the way, they also receive favor from the Lord!
Here are three leadership takeaways:
1). Universal truth is unbending.
2). Invest where you get long-term return.
3). Ultimate success is relational, not financial.
But I meant well!
So what? Leaders don’t get to be socially dysfunctional. A good heart paired with a dimwitted head doesn’t work. Ever.
Here’s the equation:
Good Intentions + Poor Execution = Terrible Results
Similarly, Proverbs 27.14 says people curse when you bless your friend very loudly – very early in the day! Ugh. Good intentions; poor execution.
Don’t rely solely on intentions because you’re judged by outcomes. Develop the social skills and discernment needed to interact in a way that reflects human sensitivity and concern.
Bring blessing to others. Don’t incite their cursing!
What’s eating at you?
I suspect you’ve known someone who was hurt by a life event. It produced sadness, or anger, or resignation, or some other emotion.
Year’s later, if you touch that spot, you get a rush of strong emotion.
Now regarding anger, Proverbs 27.3 warns about foolishly dragging around the weight of unreleased wrath. The proverb points out the high-cost, zero-return choice I make with rapid flashes of anger.
Why the warning? Because dragging around extra weight of any kind slows me down. I’m unable to produce and give back as I should.
What’s the way out? I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer, but forgiveness and release are a starting point. Also, count the costs. Is being eaten up inside worth continuing life like this?
What’s worked for you to help you move on when faced with a similar situation?
Why are you so sure?
Excessive bragging assumes that I control the uncontrollable!
Now, it’s one thing to confidently move toward a goal. But, it’s something else to guarantee success in the face of unknown and uncontrolled factors.
Proverbs 27.1 warns against bragging about what’s going to happen. Why? Because you don’t know what will occur tomorrow.
For example, a pandemic!
Or, component shortages for your finished product.
Or, record high prices for finished lumber.
Or….you get the picture.
Don’t be the leader who crosses the line between confident inspiration and destructive pride. Don’t get to the point you believe that not even God Himself can stop you!
Two wrongs don’t make a right!
Hence, my grandmother’s response when I was making excuses about who hit who first.
In short, I cannot excuse my inappropriate behavior because I have an agenda. But, what happens when an agenda supersedes basic integrity? Or, when a leader uses the end to justify excessive means?
Often, what happens is the guilty say “I’ve done nothing wrong.” They’re blind to their error. Or, they’re not telling the truth!
Likewise, Proverbs 29.2 warns about the extreme costs to a country for tolerating leaders who lack integrity, thus do wrong to promote their agenda.
Impactful leaders know there’s no moral imperative for immoral behavior. Thus, bribes, vigilantes, mobs, or twisted rationale, never produce moral ends. Don’t trade your integrity!
Don’t be the leader who allows these destructive excesses under the guise of righting a wrong or protecting corporate interests.
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