Consider a leader you have known and admired. Ask yourself what they did to earn your respect. Did they listen to your opinion before making a tough decision? These moments reveal character. A leader carries responsibility to the team that relies on their sound judgment and success. You earn respect by setting clear expectations, answering questions honestly and consistently, and making tough decisions—even at high personal cost.
Anyone who has led or worked on a team should recognize these principles that I have learned across my career: tell the truth, be prepared, give your team the credit they earned, and acknowledge your mistakes. Have the confidence to make difficult decisions and the humility to reconsider when warranted. Whether you lead a business, a public institution, or a church committee, your example builds trust in you and your judgment. Set a standard others can follow. These principles apply across business, public service, and everyday life. As John C. Maxwell said, “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
As a leader, you set the standard in your organization. If you are not truthful, supportive, and of integrity, your company will quickly adopt those behaviors. When a leader builds a track record of honesty, integrity, fairness, and keeping commitments, they build a company culture on the same principles, redefining what's possible in this positive environment. Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote, “In the long run fairness and honesty, and a generous attitude toward subordinates and associates, pay off.” — “What Is Leadership?” (1965).
Let’s talk about why accountability matters for a good leader. Our best leaders make tough decisions, but they also take responsibility, acknowledge mistakes, and re-examine and correct them. When you accept responsibility for a bad decision, you instill that in your team and the organization. In these circumstances, you clearly explain what happened and how you will fix it. A real-world leadership example is “The Buck Stops Here!”—the motto on President Harry S. Truman’s desk, used to express his responsibility for presidential decisions.
As a student of history, I can cite leader after leader who rose to greatness under unbelievable pressure and circumstances; one great example is British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in May of 1940. Many times, great leaders in business, politics, or community rise to the occasion no matter how difficult the obstacles, but the principles I laid out in the article always apply. Courage is vital to a leader’s success, but not courage for its own sake. What is required is consistent preparation and sound judgment. Leaders must also hold firm conviction while navigating disagreement with respect. It is never what you say but how you say it or phrase it.
Martin Luther King Jr. measured a person’s ultimate worth by “where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Service gives leadership its purpose. Whose interests do a leader's decisions serve? A great question to ask of a leader is whether they strive to eliminate obstacles for their team, share credit, and develop employees who strengthen the organization overall. We are also only as strong as the weakest link. Leaders must balance supporting people with holding them accountable. “The servant-leader is servant first…” — Robert K. Greenleaf, The Servant as Leader (1970). Robert K. Greenleaf
Let’s discuss experience and what it means to an organization. Experience allows a leader to exercise sound judgment with confidence. This can also be learned as an individual rises through the ranks or brings it from another organization. To be effective, the leader must listen to the frontline employees. Remember to invite informed disagreement and have the humility to change direction through conversation. A leader learns from those around them. Employees and leadership colleagues alike. Again, humility keeps a leader learning each and every day. Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” — John F. Kennedy, prepared remarks for Dallas, November 22, 1963; the speech was never delivered.
Practice leadership every day. These principles will serve you well whether you lead a team or contribute as a team member. Your behavior and how you conduct your affairs must earn respect in every decision and interaction with fellow employees. After reading this article, find a problem to own, or a person to help develop. Ask yourself: Are the people you lead better prepared, better supported, and more capable because of your leadership?
