The Unseen Mirror: Hypocrisy in Leadership

Imagine, for a moment, that you're a painter. Not just any painter, but a master of your craft. You've spent years perfecting your art, brushing bold strokes of integrity, innovation, and inspiration onto the canvas of your brand. But then, one day, you decide to use a different brush, one dipped in a dark color of hypocrisy. Suddenly, your masterpiece looks less masterful now.

Hypocrisy, my friends, is like that ill-chosen brush. It's a blemish on the canvas of your leadership. It ruins your art, your brand, and your reputation. It does not matter if you are leading a big organization, a small community group, your own family, or just starting your career. Hypocrisy is a black mark that is hard to erase.

We've all seen leaders who say one thing and do another. They preach about transparency but operate behind closed doors. They advocate for teamwork, yet they hoard credit. They demand respect, but they need to extend it. Yes, even the ones who are too busy "buttering up the toast" (a more palatable phrase for what we all know and say, but I won’t type it here) forget that leadership is not about pleasing others but about serving others.

Let's take a real-world example and bring it closer to home. I’m sure all of us have stories to share. We either did, participated in it at some point, or witnessed people around us do it. They say something to please someone specific, especially a boss or someone with authority. They tell a little white lie to avoid offending someone, get out of something, or say something about someone when they are not around, and we stood there for a moment looking at them, confused and etching our faces about why they would do that.

Every moment, every second, and every leadership role, big or small, is a stage where you set an example. When you're a hypocrite, you're not just damaging your brand or reputation. You are letting down those who look up to you and believe in what you stand for. This could be your direct reports, coworkers, friends, or even your family and children.

Now, let me shift and speak about the elephant in the room. Today, more than ever before, what was once thought to be hidden in shadows now echoes loudly across our world and network. We've all come across them. Those who smile at you nod in agreement, only to turn around and stab you in the back with their words. They believe their two-faced game is discreet and hidden. But words have a way of traveling, and their true colors bleed through their carefully crafted facade in time. The young leaders, the rising stars eager to make their mark, their ambition is commendable, and their drive is desirable. But some, in their desire to climb the ladder, choose not to ascend through hard work and dedication but rather by undermining their peers by throwing others under the bus.

They believe that pleasing the boss, at the expense of others, will elevate their status. They think that by putting on a special mask and manipulation, they can hide their true selves and rise to the top. But in doing so, they lose something far more valuable: their authenticity, their soul.

This behavior, this clash between what they profess to be and their actions, is like an acid eating away their potential. They may think they're winning, but they're only sabotaging their journey, sacrificing their integrity for the illusion of progress.

As a mentor, it's my duty to call out these behaviors, not to punish but to enlighten. I want to remind our young leaders that real success is not achieved by being jealous of others, stepping on them, but by lifting them. To remind them that authenticity and integrity are not just buzzwords but the cornerstone of impactful leadership. And let's be clear: A truth that stings is far more valuable than a lie that brings you temporary pleasure. Real mentoring is about not sugarcoating reality but illuminating the growth path, even if it's uncomfortable.

So, remember: "Your climb to the top, or your journey to build something for yourself, should not be a journey of destruction but one of construction." As I always say, "Don't trade your authenticity for approval. The true leader is the one who remains themselves, even when the world is watching." Leadership is a mirror. What you show is what you reflect.

In the end, our beauty as humans is that we can learn, grow, and change. It's never too late to put down that brush of hypocrisy and pick up the ones of authenticity and consistency.

So here's my challenge: Be the leader who stands by their word. Be the one who acts in the image they project. one who isn't afraid to admit their mistakes and learn from them.

Together, let’s build a better world and a better us!

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