Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is looking!

The other day, I came across a great word: "coherence," which means to be consistent or unified (Oxford Dictionary).

When it comes to being ethical or in integrity, it refers to being consistent or unified in our thoughts, words, and actions.  

Integrity or ethics is a big one for our field. We have a whole book dedicated to it (NAECY Code of Ethical Conduct) and what it looks like in early childhood.

Yet, I rarely hear it discussed, and I have yet to see it embedded within professional development.

So, we get to talk about it within the context of our personal leadership.

Meaning… are we being consistent between what we think, say, or do?

I get it. This is where accountability comes in, and it is often a very uncomfortable conversation. It's uncomfortable because it requires us to confront our actions and their consequences, but it's a necessary part of our professional growth.

Yet, there are many ways to approach the subject.

For instance, in my Leadership Development and Refinement training, I often introduce a powerful tool: Jack Canfield's (Chicken Soup for the Soul) E+R=O equation.

E = events. What happened? Or who said or did what?

R = our response. How did we respond? What did we do or say after the event happened?

O = outcome. What was the outcome or consequence of what we did or said in response to the event?

This equation, which I find incredibly insightful, forces us to examine our behavior and helps us understand the direct link between our actions and the outcomes we experience.

Go ahead and try it. Think about a past event. Then, think about how you responded. What was the outcome? If it turned out well, great! If it didn't turn out well, how can you change your response the next time it happens to possibly get a different outcome?

This equation is a game-changer! And when used as a tool, it can improve our leadership skills through accountability and reflection.

So, if you and your staff could use a boost in leadership refinement, contact me at deidre.harris@teamagreements.com to see how I can help!