The Traits Of Courage, Integrity, And Growth

Introduction

Leadership is a contact sport. As with any sport skills, best practices, and preparation are on constant display for both teammates and competitors to see. Leaders must hone specific characteristics and traits that give them the ability to earn the respect of those who would follow. In this paper the traits of courage, integrity, and growth will be expressed as important concepts in the development and maintenance of a leader.

Group Consensus

The three topics chosen were all considered important to the group members. With courage and integrity the two traits tend to go hand in hand. A leader with integrity will gain the trust of his or her followership while courage will inspire them and lead change. Dees describes the concepts

There is no compartmentalization of integrity when it comes to faith, family, or profession. (Dees, n.d.) To bear integrity one must have honesty and trustworthiness. Leaders must continually demonstrate integrity to their subordinates to build the necessary relationships and partnerships for achieving organizational goals. Leaders are trained in a multitude of job skills but many times integrity is expected and not taught and the underlying theme of integrity that of ethics. (Noelliste, 2013) Terms such as incorruptible, soundness, and completeness are used to describe integrity as well as doing what is considered morally and legally right. (Dees, 2013) Implementing integrity in leaders is predominately individual but can be developed corporately. Leaders need to be aware of their own shortcomings or faults to start building integrity. This is also a decision-making characteristic but applies to integrity as well. (Mann, 2011) Through the continual practices of selflessness, character, and competence leaders can develop and implement integrity into their professional relationships. Over time this becomes foundational to teams and entire organizations and leaders become ones who can be consistently depended upon to do the right thing, bounce back in crisis, and lead through

A primary source of learning and growth for is lessons learned. Good leaders often appear to be wise but leaders have and will experience obstacles that could end up in failure. It is key for leaders to learn from these past failures. Equally important is to learn from successes and to repeat what works. Dees lays out several techniques that equip leaders to grow and learn in their professional lives. These techniques are reading, writingspeaking, teaching, and mentorship. (Dees, 2013) Reading as a continual practice allows leaders to stay abreast current events and trends in their specific profession. Furthermore, reading allows leaders to digest and analyze other bodies of information for application and maturation in their own skill set. (Dees, 2013) Writing and speaking are the second element of growth for a leadership. This skill set allows for crispness of thought and consolidation of viewpoints. Even for those who do not consider themselves natural writers or speakers, honing these skills will add an effective tool to the repertoire of leaders.(Dees, 2013) Teaching is also another mechanism for growth. As one teaches, one learns. Teaching allows for leaders to become subject matter experts in their chosen field. (Dees, 2013) Finally, the use mentorship is valuable tool to grow as leader. For mentorship to happen you must have a willing learner. With a willing