It’s no secret that I believe that character trumps
competency when it comes to leadership. From setting standards and
expectations, to guiding and supporting and acknowledging others, it falls upon
the leader to lead by example.
The first task of each day must therefore start with
a personal challenge. Are you being
honest with the mirror? Does the image
that you reflect honestly reflect the person you really are? Or is it a mirage, a picture of what you hope
others see but which you know is not true?
No one sees a perfect image. You see the warts that others cannot.
But if all you do is camouflage the blemishes
without committing to change them, the mirror will always expose you. And it is only a matter of time before others
see them too.
As the leader, you must be as fully devoted to the
standards – legal, ethical and moral – as those whom you lead. The least bit of
hypocrisy will undermine your efforts regardless of your best efforts of
denial.
Conquer the challenge the mirror presents. In time that mirror will smile back at you!
