— To follow is a bullet of wisdom on leadership. It comes from Tom’s rifle, named Shot, who has seen it all. You’ll get the drift by clicking Blog in the menu at www.tomnewhouse.com. —
GUNS HAVE NO INTEGRITY! some will declare. Of course not, if you think of integrity as high values. We guns (a rifle in my case) simply lack values—good or bad. But what if integrity means all parts fit a whole that holds together. Such a gun does not fall apart. It does what guns do—whatever that is.
Some leaders lack integrity—both kinds. They lack values, and they operate inconsistently. What they say does not match what they do, at least to the thorough, ever-watching eyes of followers. Here’s a real test: Does what you say match what you do at your work, at your home, AND in your community. That last one, community, is tough. It includes clubs, church, recreation, and relaxation. One leadership savant put it this way: Do you act as you espouse when no one is watching?