Integrity, Part 2

Last week, I started on the topic of integrity in our personal leadership.

We explored Jack Canfield's equation of E (event) + R (our response) = O (the outcome). This powerful tool empowers us to reflect on and take responsibility for our behavior, knowing it directly influences our team dynamics.

I use the same equation when I go out and do Highly Effective Teams training.  I just approach it differently. For example, I always give a break during training. Right before the break, I ask participants to be back by a specific time and do a "check-in" to see if the time given is reasonable. I then ask if everyone agrees to the return time and request that they be seated and ready to go upon return.

And guess what happens? Yep, you're right! Most of the time, a few people have yet to return, aren't seated, or aren't ready to go.

And yes, you're right again! I address it.  Kindly…

I remind them of their part of the agreement (being back on time and ready to go) and then thank the whole group for honoring it while acknowledging that there might have been extenuating circumstances for the late returns (no, I don't call specific people out).

I then remind the group of another one of my favorite sayings… "How you do anything is how you do everything." I let them know I suspect that many of their meetings tend to start late, and I follow up with a question: "Am I right about that?"

And 100% of the time, I have been accurate!! You see, people who are late for 1-2 things are typically late for most things.

And those who know me know I don't stop there. I use this as a teachable moment and ask the group to list the impact of consistently late meetings on the individual, the "core" team, and the "big" team.

You can imagine the list that gets generated.

I then remind everyone how often we make cavalier agreements (like being back on time) without thinking about following through. We often forget or don't think about how our personal leadership (or not) impacts us and those around us.

I know… deep stuff! And yet, what would our program be like if everyone worked on their personal integrity?

If this sounds like something your program could support, contact me at deidre.harris@teamagreements.com, and we can discuss how I can help.