L.I.A.R, L.I.A.R!

With all the rhetoric that is going on with the election, how do we decide who is a L.I.A.R. (has Leadership, Integrity, Accountability, Reliability) or just a liar. It seems acceptable nowadays to make election promises to win our votes without the commitment to achieve them, whilst blaming others when things go wrong. Of course, not all politicians are like that, but the media does not give that impression.

After the recent debacles across many parties, such as misuse of funds, breaking the rules, mismanaging the economy, racism, cover ups, lying, bullying, fake news, (the list goes on!) is it any wonder that people are disillusioned? I certainly feel angry and frustrated at being treated this way. Isn’t it time we had a leader who demonstrates leadership, integrity, accountability, and reliability?  These qualities apply to every leader, whether you are a politician, business owner, manager, or parent.

Leadership

A leader needs to have followers, and people are becoming far more selective and questioning of who they choose to follow.  Therefore, it is important to establish strong credibility in all interactions.  Communicating with impact and integrity in everything you do is essential to gain trust, inspire and motivate, ensure maximum attention to your message, and achieve the necessary outcomes. It is about serving others and not your own ego.

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. To become a great leader, you have to develop your ability to leave your own ego at the door and to recognise the skills and traits that you need in order to build a world-class organisation.”

 Professor Warren Bennis

Do we get the leaders we deserve? Is it time to expect and demand more, whether in Government or in the workplace?

 Integrity

No matter what you say or how you say it, if your subsequent actions do not match your words, you will not be believed.  It is important to be true to yourself and your values and keep your promises. This can do wonders for your sleep!

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

W. Clement Stone

Integrity is about being honest and doing the right thing, but it is not always easy to know what is right. Any time you’re faced with a dilemma, there are three questions you can ask yourself. They will help lead you to the right answer.

1. If the situation were posted on a billboard in the middle of town, would I be embarrassed to have my friends and family see how I had acted?
2. Will I be able to look in the mirror in the morning and be happy with the person looking back at me?
3. If the tables were turned, how would I feel about things?

Accountability

Accountability is a personal choice to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary for achieving desired results. You need to see the issue, take ownership of it, find a solution, and then implement it. It means seeing things through to a measurable result.

Accountability is a key leadership skill but is often one of the most avoided.  It requires trust, setting of expectations, taking ownership, and reporting back. How many occasions recently have we heard leaders passing the blame to others or avoiding accountability all together? We have umpteen inquiries going on, at huge cost to us, but will anyone be held accountable in the end?

Achieving basic levels of accountability is no longer enough; it needs to be embedded in the culture at all levels. How great would Britain be if we had a culture like that, with our leaders role modelling it? Encouraging people to be accountable whilst avoiding blame is a tricky balancing act. In my opinion, when politicians are electioneering, there is too much time spent blaming others rather than saying what they will do.

“See it – Own it – Solve it – Do it.“

Roger Connors, Tom Smith & Craig Hickman

Reliability

Reliability requires being consistent, following through on promises and creating certainty. Being reliable is the way to build trust. The number one job of any leader is to inspire trust. Trust is the one thing that is commonly sought by every individual, relationship, team, family, organisation, and nation throughout the world. If developed and used, it has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life. Yet it is the least understood, most neglected, and most underestimated possibility of our time. It is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don’t. Trust is a pragmatic, tangible, actionable asset that you can create.

“Reliability is the precondition for trust.”

Wolfgang Schauble

When you trust someone, you have confidence in their integrity, reliability, and their abilities to lead and be accountable. On the other hand, the liar creates distrust which is dramatic in destroying relationships and morale.

Questions

If a candidate comes knocking at your door, you may like to ask them the following questions.

1. How will you demonstrate your leadership skills?
2. What does integrity mean to you?
3. How will you hold yourself accountable if elected?
4. Why should I trust you to be reliable?

Of course, you could ask yourself those questions too!

Also published on Medium.