“The most critical characteristic of a LEADER in my mind is this statement… DO as I DO NOT Do as I SAY I do” -Jared Yellin
I have had the pleasure and the pain of working with many thought leaders and industry transformers over the past 15 years.
Although these people appeared one way on stage and in the public eye - MOST - were extremely different behind the scenes.
I will never forget when one of my favorite personal development icons hired me many years ago to run his entire marketing strategy.
The thought of working with him - BLEW MY MIND!
And boy oh boy did it blow my mind!
He was totally different when you got to know him on a personal level and it changed the way I viewed his message...forever!
I guess we would not eat in most restaurants if we knew what went on in the kitchen…
But is this INTEGRITY?!?
I believe there are not many universally defined words, but the one word that does land in this category is INTEGRITY which is defined as…
Do what is RIGHT regardless of who is watching.
This all-encompassing word will either make or break what is important in your life…
For example…
Are you IN integrity in your relationship? Are you IN integrity in your health? Are you IN integrity in your career?
Are you IN integrity in your parenting? Are you IN integrity in your spiritual or religious beliefs?
Are you IN integrity WITH YOURSELF?
Remember, doing what is RIGHT regardless of who is watching is how this powerful term is defined, but just knowing the definition is NOT the answer.
Listen, no one is perfect and falling out of integrity will happen to everyone…
The KEY is HOW quickly do you own the fact that you breached integrity and how quickly will you step back into this extremely important domain in your life?
From my perspective, integrity is a non-negotiable…
And living inside of it means that you are doing so in all areas of your life…
Which also means that cutting corners is NOT an option…
Which also means that you are doing what is RIGHT regardless of who is watching…
Which also means that you lead by example…
But what about those leaders who have a different approach...
Like do as I say, NOT as I do...
I guess it comes down to this…
What type of LEADER are you?
A leader on stage
Or
A leader off stage
Or
Both?
I choose both - it ain’t easy - but it’s far easier to remain congruent and to be an example for others to follow - both publicly AND when no one is truly watching.
We live in a world where congruent leadership, integrity-based leadership, “do as I do and as I say” type of leadership has never been needed in a more significant way.
But yet…
So few people step into this opportunity. And yes, this is an opportunity and a gift to lead.
It’s an opportunity because it’s completely a blue ocean - there are sooooo few solid leaders! You will have no competition at all if you make the conscious decision to be in integrity and lead by example.
And it’s a gift because if someone allows you to lead them and gives you the permission to guide them, they are saying the following without actually saying it…
“I am better with you than without you - let’s go!”
And this is the greatest gift.
Someone believes in you…
Someone trusts you…
Someone is ready for you to be an example for them…
Here’s My Challenge For You...
DO as I DO…(always and forever)
Allow this to be your mantra, your calling, and your non-negotiable in life.
DO as I DO!
Stop talking…
Stop judging…
Stop preaching…
Stop everything other than BEING an example by DOING what you know is in integrity in all areas of your life and when you fall out - catch yourself quickly, step back in - and keep on DOING!
I guarantee that this commitment will radically change your entire life while giving you the opportunity and gift to become a real, meaningful, integrity-filled LEADER!
Are You Ready...DO AS I DO!?!
Live With Intention,
JY