Thursday, January 17, 2013

Integrity of Heart: A Virtue Essential to Communicate Vision


While it’s acceptable that leaders are known for envisioning, it’s also true that they need to demonstrate integrity for them to be granted a platform to communicate their vision. According to Yukl (2001) a leader either seeks to strengthen an existing vision or build commitment to a new one. The ability of a leader to envision the desired future state of an organization and solicit his followers’ contribution largely depends on how the leader is perceived by those listening to him. According to Bass (1990) the basic concept of inspirational leadership has a significant role to play in the communication process and this could be tied to the personal integrity of the leader.
If where there is no vision people perish, conversely where there is no integrity vision perishes. Vision according to Bennis and Nanus (1985) requires translating intentions into realities through communication of the vision to win support of others. To succeed the leader must be able to articulate his vision clearly and in an appealing way and show that the vision can be attained. He must exult confidence and also express confidence in the ability of the followers to contribute meaningfully to achieve the vision. His behavior and values should align with the vision to reinforce it to the followers. He will show his values in the way he spends his time, how he allocates resources and by the actions he rewards (Yukl, 2002).
In view of these, John C Maxwell's maxim ‘leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less’ could be said to augments Judith Germaine’s belief that leadership is a trusted influence. Raising the relevant and important question of the existence of reputational leadership where a leader’s reputation is built as he is noticed doing the right things in the right way by his followers. Since reputation is about credibility, trust, and influence, it will either create or destroy opportunities to impact or influence others (Class notes, 2012).
Trust as earlier said, opens the hearts of the people to grant permission to be influenced. Bad reputation negates trust, while a good one grants the leader the key to penetrate even the most closed hearts. The level of influence increases with the level of trust a leader is accorded by his followers. With trust a leader influences people while at the same time respecting their freedom. A good leader understands where the boundaries lie and will not transgress until he is granted permission to do so.
A commitment to respect the freedom of followers is a fundamental mark of Christian leadership. We know that Jesus influenced many people of diverse backgrounds during his ministry, but we are certain that he compelled none to follow Him. His character and vision captured the attention of his followers so much that they followed and acted willingly to deliver on that vision as he exposed it to them. The intersection of his private and public venues proved Him to be a credible leader who deserved a following and buy-in to His vision. As Jesus did, a leader should not push people around, he should persuade them.
Again trust is a basic requirement for personal relationships important for our well being and economic development. It could be considered as both spiritual and social capital that a leader needs to trade in with his followers to accomplish his leadership goals and objectives. Character can be leveraged through the leaders’ courage and commitment to act, and the drive and resolve to put values into action to enhance performance.
 If both the leader and the followers are trustworthy, risks and uncertainties in leadership are greatly reduced and this increases the chances of success in an organization as opposed to situations where trust is missing. In an atmosphere of trust, the leader or the followers are expected to behave and act in a predictable manner. This could be seen as a mark of reliability, an important driver of progress as individual aspirations will certainly be met.

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