Episode 141: Can Honest Leaders Rebuild Integrity?

Published: July 17, 2024

Details

Can individuals truly recover from being perceived as fundamentally flawed in honesty and integrity? We embarked on a research journey to uncover whether redemption is possible for those who have fallen into the pit of distrust. We analyzed data from 6,025 leaders who participated in 360-degree assessments, receiving feedback from their managers, peers, direct reports, and other raters. Our mission was to see if they could change and, if so, how they managed to do it. Join us as we dive deeper into these findings, share stories of transformation, and provide practical tips for leaders striving to rebuild trust and integrity.

Key Learnings

Improvement is Possible: A significant number of leaders can recover from being perceived as fundamentally flawed in honesty and integrity, with 21% making meaningful improvements.
Key Behaviors for Change: Following through on commitments, seeking advice for better decision-making, and fostering cooperation over competition are critical for regaining trust.
Continuous Improvement: Leaders who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to self-improvement and learning are more likely to rebuild their integrity and trustworthiness.
Effective Communication: Regular, clear communication is essential for maintaining trust and preventing misunderstandings, which can damage a leader’s reputation.
Feedback and Adaptation: Consistently asking for feedback and making efforts to improve based on that feedback are hallmarks of leaders who successfully restore their integrity and effectiveness.

Connect with Joe Folkman

Webinar

Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive live webinar every month, where you can meet Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman and talk about their latest leadership development research. Find out more information and register here.