| What's the one essential leadership skill you can't | | | | Miller, author of Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make |
| do without? What one thing will carry you through | | | | Your Organization Exceptional. One of the reasons |
| any crisis? What one value is paramount to your | | | | this happens is because someone on the front |
| success as a leader? | | | | line, dealing with the customer, doesn't accept |
| Integrity. | | | | responsibility for the customer's situation. The |
| According to The Millionaire Mind, most first | | | | customer is often made to feel like they are the |
| generation, self-made millionaires say they could | | | | ones who are in the wrong for pointing out the |
| not have gotten to where they are without | | | | error. The customer is unable to get the redress |
| uncompromising integrity. Integrity is one of the | | | | they seek and it's taken them valuable time just |
| essential skills of a leader and a foundation for | | | | to get an answer of "no." |
| success. The honesty and fair dealing you bring to | | | | As a leader, you are responsible for how the |
| your position speaks volumes about you as a | | | | folks on the front lines treat the customer. If you |
| person. Doing the right thing, whether or not | | | | train your people to be accountable and give |
| anyone's watching can be difficult but it's | | | | them the tools and resources to fix problems, |
| necessary for you to succeed. | | | | they will do just that every time. If you hold |
| We live in a society where cutting corners, putting | | | | them accountable when they fail to do the right |
| a spin on every story, and bending the rules are | | | | thing, they will either discover that they aren't a |
| commonplace. The organizations that really stand | | | | good fit for the organization and leave or they will |
| out are those that strive to do the right thing in | | | | rise to the occasion, having learned a valuable |
| every situation. This mindset is evident in their | | | | lesson. |
| mission statements, ever-present in their core | | | | What are the skills of a leader that will make you |
| values, and you can see it as you deal with their | | | | or break you at every turn? Integrity and |
| employees. Behind every outstanding customer | | | | accountability, without a doubt. Your integrity is |
| service provider is a leader who values integrity. | | | | everything. It's the most important leadership skill |
| I trust that the type of organization you want to | | | | you can have. It's actually not a skill at all, it's a |
| be affiliated with is one that holds integrity in the | | | | value and if you don't have it deep within you, at |
| highest regard. How do you become a leader in | | | | the core of your being, you won't succeed as a |
| one of these organizations? Look deep inside and | | | | leader. Your integrity will lead you to be |
| make sure you believe that your word is your | | | | accountable for your performance and your |
| bond, honesty is the best policy, and keeping quiet | | | | team's performance. The buck stops with you. |
| when you disagree is a true disservice to all. If | | | | When mistakes are made or the results fall below |
| these values align with yours, practice them daily | | | | expectations, you must be the one to step up |
| whether or not anyone notices and associate | | | | and take responsibility for it. Your people will see |
| yourself with people who do the same. | | | | this and they will respond. |
| Hand in hand with integrity is accountability. It's | | | | Values are everything to successful leadership. If |
| another one of those skills of a leader that will win | | | | you value the approval of others more than you |
| people over and take you far. As a leader, you're | | | | value sound principles and morals you've probably |
| responsible for your team's work product. When | | | | experienced your fair share of ups and downs. |
| things go wrong, you need to step out in front | | | | Perhaps you aren't where you thought you'd be in |
| and take the heat. Part of taking that heat is to | | | | life and that's prompted you to read this article |
| send the message that excuses are not allowed | | | | today. You can break this cycle. Download your |
| and the blame game has no winners. Someone | | | | FREE e-book, "The Human Condition" right now. |
| who is accountable apologizes for the error, fixes | | | | Start learning why our true selves often aren't |
| the problem and promises it won't happen again. | | | | represented by our actions. |
| "People fire companies daily", according to John | | | | |