Servant leadership and Integrity - shifting the paradigm

Servant leadership is the ‘new’ way of leading. Servant leadership in its truest form is an act of devotion. It is not about giving or getting, it is a circuitry of love ever flowing without conditions. So how does this translate into the business environment and its leaders? How many folks have worked for someone who truly felt were devoted to your personal/professional needs? Truly? Maybe a few…or less? The patriarchal system has created a hierarchy and behaviors and of course expectations over millennium that created a system of the leader/subordinate relationship and expectations. How does that all of the sudden shift in the practice of servant leadership? Where leaders truly and authentically ‘care’ about the needs of their, well subordinates. 

Be the leader who embodies non-judgment and acts as a holder of presence, warmth and support by creating space for others.

Those who are on a mission to use their gifts (birthright) by being a servant leader is how we will slowly yet truly shift this paradigm. I call this a gift because honestly there is a lot that needs to change in the business environment and community at large before being a servant leader is actually authentic, received and expected. 

This gift is not always easy for those who truly are servant leaders. They are consistent with their words, intentions and actions. They listen (hard for all of us!) and they are compassionate (still a long way to be accepted in the business world) to the needs of their colleagues and community members. They strive for excellence and try to learn as much as possible to be the most supportive to their colleagues, company and community. They don’t bullshit it! They admit when they don’t know something vs. spewing anecdotal or incorrect/unvalidated information. They don’t lay down judgments of others who don’t follow their same thinking. They don’t have personal agendas and don’t manipulate situations or people. Are you starting to see why I make the statement servant leadership is rare? We see this every day. 

You are a servant leader….. because you authentically value those around you and your actions meet the expectations of integrity you speak of.

It’s a reality that business leaders in ‘some’ companies have severely struggled with integrity over the recent years. Just google the headlines. Our species needs to demand a change in integrity and each one of us brings that to the table. The gift of integrity is one that is visible and predictable. It’s what we can trust. 

Your gift of integrity brings predictability, trust and a safe space to those you engage.

In simplest terms integrity is a governance of your values. Your gift of integrity sings in the hearts of those you engage, transact or collaborate with. Why? Because they trust you, you reduce stress for them and bring predictability of fairness and openness. Think about how you have been in situations with those who have integrity and those who do not. You FEEL it. 

I’ve found when I’m working with people in business or the community and my values don’t align with those folks or organizations I immediately feel it in my body. My chest and throat tighten up and my heart races. It’s my built-in radar that this is NOT where I want to be. I’ve learned NOT to just deal with it or them (if a person). I try to disengage, decline engagement or simply ignore/avoid. I know the last one is wimpy, but it has worked. 

For me this includes vendors and customers (nobody should be off the hook! especially if not aligned with your company 'values'), neighbors or even organizations in the community. I’ve had all of these situations as I’m sure most of you have as well. A simple way I have started to see companies like Cisco hold their own employees and partners accountable is they are vocal, everywhere, talking about their values and how they expect engagements and interactions to happen around their values in their partnership. Why isn't every company doing this? It's really simple! Set expectations.

In reality not everyone you work or live with has the same values or integrity you do. Now if it’s a significant problem across the organization then YES get out! The most important thing to note is the shadow of staying engaged you can become easily trapped by ego identity yet resent the company and/or people because it’s not what your heart believes or wants you to do. It will eat away at your soul.

 ‘Integrity is a vulnerability that disguises nothing’ ~ Ariel Spilsbury

I really like The 4 agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom a book written by Don Miguel Ruiz. They are self-explanatory and easy to remember, maybe a couple not so easy to practice. 

1.    Be impeccable with your word

2.    Don’t take it personally

3.    Don’t make assumptions

4.    Always do your best

I tend to take things personally at times and honestly it puts me on a roller coaster of emotions and most of the time unnecessarily. Instead of just letting it flow and go. I have tried over time to not make assumptions and even put extra effort into discovering truth so I have facts, no blame, no assumptions. Interesting though I have found this being even more important being a parent than at work. No matter what, you do you and don’t feel pressured to act like someone else, play games or manipulate others. Stick to your values and act with integrity.

‘Truth disempowers shadow ego.’ ~Caroline Myss

#loveyourgifts

Purpose of this blog series: I’d like to bring to light those ‘other’ gifts that truly do make a difference with our teams, business, leadership and effectiveness in the hope (yes I use this word almost daily now??) others will start to embrace their gifts, talk about them, not hide them or feel ashamed when an authority figure gives their opinion (based on that ole patriarchal system). Bringing light to your gifts and how special they are. I’ll also tackle some of the negative ways they can be viewed and attempt to share how you can embrace and recognize those gifts.

#3 in 6 part series