To Tell the Truth.
Recap — about Civility
In our January blog, we talked about civility – the first behaviour from a list of 12 Leadership Engagement Behaviours outlined in my second book, Leadership by Engagement (see below for the list).
This blog led to a Character Conversation with two outstanding coaches, Michelle Winklaar and Carla Sutton-McIntosh, about how leaders can create an environment of civility and trust, particularly within a lens of Diversity and Inclusion. When leaders ask important questions, and then listen, hear, and respond, it is a starting point for respect and trust in the workplace — and allows each person to feel they can be open and honest about what they are experiencing. Creating a civil and respectful work environment takes trust and it creates trust.
This month’s leadership behaviour — To Tell the Truth
What is the truth? We all know that given our world of competing media sources, social media and opinions vs. facts, it is often difficult to know “the truth.” Daniel Dale, a Canadian, who was the first reporter to fact-check Donald Trump, is now a full-time political fact checker for CNN Washington Bureau.
We are at the point where everything leaders say has to be verified? What happened to ‘our word is our bond’?
“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.” Dr. Spencer Johnson, Author of Who moved my cheese?
Telling the truth is sometimes difficult, especially when the ground continually shifts under our feet. Add to that the requirement that leaders must offer hope, and do so honestly.
Character conversations
Here are some questions for leaders to ask their teams:
- How truthful do you perceive the leaders in our organization to be?
- What would you like to hear if we (as leaders) do not know the answer?
- What questions would you like answered right now?
- How honest are you with me as your leader?
- What would make it easier for you to be even more honest with me?
Let me know what you think about these questions!
Best Wishes,
Kathleen Redmond MA, MCC
kr@centreforcharacterleadership.com
905.478.7962
Leadership Engagement Behaviours
In Leadership by Engagement, I wrote about Leadership Engagement Behaviours. Over the years, there has been terrific feedback on this list which is based on engagement research completed by Gallup and other organizations.
In this year of years, it seems fitting to revisit this list and talk candidly about what each of the 12 behaviours means in 2021.
- Treat people in a consistently civil manner.
- Tell the truth.
- Listen openly with empathy.
- Conduct yourself in an ethical manner.
- Create an atmosphere of camaraderie.
- Provide autonomy to make decisions.
- Articulate clear, measurable, achievable performance expectations.
- Recognize contributions frequently, specifically and personally.
- Address performance gaps in a timely, private, problem solving manner.
- Provide opportunities for people to find challenge and significance in their work.
- Ensure training and learning opportunities are available.
- Provide proper tools and resources.
Interactive Online Learning Program:
Leading with Authenticity, Character, and Integrity
Facilitated by Kathleen Redmond, MA, MCC
Contact us for more information about the three courses in this program.
- Know Your Character for Communication Success
- The COACH Approach© in our Transitioning World
- Dealing with Conflict
Each course is limited to 9 participants — sign up now to join us for a truly collaborative online experience!