I think a lot about principled leadership and what difference it makes to lead from one’s enduring core values verses leading based on what will get the desired outcome in the moment. Of course, “principled” and “pragmatic” leadership need not always be in opposition. In some blissful moments they align. But in the real world there are often tensions and effective leadership is marked by the skillful management of tensions.
Inspired the Ten Commandments, here are some thoughts on what principled leadership looks like.
Ten Commandments of Principled Leadership
- The status and power of leadership is very seductive. Keep your soul well-nourished so that the trappings of leadership do not replace the purpose of leadership in your heart.
- If it was created, it can be destroyed. Make sure that you are investing in the enduring.
- Make sure that your what honors your why.
- Rest.
- Honor those who came before you. You do not have to build your legacy by destroying theirs.
- For that matter, don’t destroy anyone’s reputation with careless words spoken in insecurity.
- Honor your commitments.
- Remember that the team gets fair credit for the success, and the leader takes fair responsibility for the failures.
- Speak the truth in love. Not truth at the expense of love, nor love at the expense of truth.
- Time wasted on being jealous is better spent being curious.
What do you think characterizes principled leadership?
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Such good stuff!! Great tips for those of us who lead, but also as followers, these are important things to look for in those we choose to follow.
Very well said! I think your Ten Commandments covers a lot. Simply put, I would add leading with integrity, openness, availability, and compassion can go a long way.
Integrity, opened, availability and compassion…Yes! These are great. Thank you for sharing!
Yes and yes. I feel that #4 is the most overlooked and very crucial. So many leaders thrive on working long hours and neglect the self care that helps mood, clarity, focus, decision making, and overall health. #4 could eliminate inner barriers and allow leaders to follow lots of the remaining Ten Commandments with ease.