Real Leaders Love The Truth

The best leaders engage in rigorous, honest, and continuous self- examination. They are very open to the idea that they got it wrong and can do better. They surround themselves with those who tell them the truth. They want to hear it and they are grateful to be told where they can improve so they can and do. Honesty from your team is real loyalty.

The worst leaders are convinced they’re always right. No one can always be right. They don’t want to hear they can improve. They think others make all the mistakes and they make none. They don’t want to hear the truth. They surround themselves with those who tell them what they want to hear. There’s no honesty or genuine loyalty in either direction.

Be the leader who seeks the truth about yourself, listens, and continually improves. Be the leader who admits mistakes in front of others. Your openness and vulnerability builds trust and loyalty. Create and sustain a culture where everyone knows they are free to fail so they can fail forward and fail up. Teams thrive on trust. Trust flows from honesty. Trust produces loyalty. An honest leader, a trusted team, and a healthy culture are critical to long term success.

#LeadershipLessonsWithDrSaviak

From the Teacher: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak is a weekly column with the esteemed Joseph C. Saviak, Ph.D., J.D., M.A., M.S., Management Consulting & Leadership Training

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