Integrity Matters Broadcasts
November, 2004
Interpersonal Integrity
Dear Friends:
November 2, 2004, is Election Day throughout the United
States of America. The Bracher Center's monthly Broadcast, dedicated to improving productivity through the adoption
and application of integrity-centered business values,
is focused on what we believe to be the long-term best
interests of our society. A constructive, values-driven
culture that is propelled by a strong, integrity-centered
economic engine, will frame the appropriate choices our
nation's voters are called upon to make in electing
leaders, at every level. If the United States is to be
successful at exporting products and services, and especially
free enterprise and democracy, then the quality of each
should be required to pass the integrity-centered "sniff
test."
When the "promises" of products and services
do not "smell good" - whether business driven
or politically motivated, then there is a pretty good chance
that something rotten has happened. Usually this means
that there has been a failure on the part of those making
commitments. Often these are the very same people who would
have us believe that they should be in charge, ought to
be elected, or least at the top of the "preferred
providers" most deserving of being selected. However,
when certain counter-productive actions do not match the
noble-sounding words, whether for business gain or political
influence, then fear, uncertainty and doubt will creep
into the mix, causing mistrust and weakening the impact
of the organizations themselves, whatever their mission.
Deals are lost and so are elections. It really is about
the integrity.
As we know, when mistrust occurs in business, insolvency
often follows, opening the door, ideally, for new, innovative
and often more dependable competitors. In the same way,
for politics and government, history teaches that moral,
intellectual and economic bankruptcy may even spell the
end of a culture and a society - possibly including
democratic systems and free markets. It is important that
voters make the correct selection. And, yes, we believe
The Candidate Integrity Test© could be helpful. See
the recent press release below:
How to Be Sure You Are Voting for the Best Candidate
Give Your Candidates the Integrity Test©
Monterey, California - How does one choose for whom
to vote? Vote along party lines? Vote for a candidate who
supports issues important to you? Each of these methods
makes sense, however they both have a gaping loophole - they
neglect the single most important factor when choosing
the best candidate.
"Barring any egregious or offensive political position,
the best candidate regardless of political party, is one
who possesses integrity", says Jim Bracher, co-author
(with Dan Halloran) of Integrity Matters (Torchlight Publishing
2004) and corporate integrity expert. "If a candidate
does not possess integrity, then how can he or she be trusted
to keep promises, promote important campaign issues, and
represent the interests of all constituents?" asks
Bracher.
Candidates for elected offices, including those pursuing
the presidency, are cheered when they criticize competitors,
while demeaning members of opponents' families, including
spouses, children and even parents. According to Bracher,
those who engage in personal attacks are seeking the voting
public's sanction for their vile rhetoric, and this
venom will poison the body politic and destroy the democratic
organism that is the promise of America, where fair play
and civility are supposed to reign supreme.
"Fortunately, integrity can be tested and measured," says
Bracher. "There are Eight Attributes of
integrity that are true for both organizations and individuals".
Bracher maintains that the integrity attributes of Character,
Honesty, Openness, Authority, Partnership, Performance,
Charity and Graciousness are all critical for achieving
meaningful long-term success in any organization.
Bracher founded the Bracher Center for Integrity in Leadership
in 2002. The Monterey, California based Center shares insights
on integrity that have been gained through 24 years of
operating his leadership development firm, Dimension Five
Consultants, in consultation with 8,000 leaders representing
many industries.
Bracher suggests giving your candidate the following integrity
test before voting and making your choice of the best candidate
to be responsible for sustaining our freedoms.
The Candidate Integrity
Test©
The Bracher Center for Integrity
in Leadership, 2004©
Rate your candidates on how well they exhibit the eight "constructive" behaviors.
On a scale of 1 to 10, (10 being excellent) - how
is the candidate rating? If he or she is not exhibiting
the right behavior, let them know and demand reform.
1. CHARACTER: consistency between word and deed.
Does ______________ exhibit congruence between what is
said and what is done, as well as what is said about
what was done?
2. HONESTY: truthful communication.
Do you have confidence that ____________ would never
engage in, or sanction misrepresentation?
3. OPENNESS: operational transparency.
Does_____________ make appropriate information about
their activities (and those of their key personnel)
readily available? Do they promote an atmosphere of
openness and receptivity?
4. AUTHORITY: source of encouragement.
How well does __________ empower and delegate others
to solve problems? Are their actions supported?
5. PARTNERSHIP: honor obligations.
Does _________ pride them self on timely fulfillment
of all commitments?
6. PERFORMANCE: accountability throughout the organization.
When individuals, including senior executives, under-perform
repeatedly, are they given due process and then, if
necessary, replaced?
7. CHARITY: generous community stewardship.
Does __________ reach out to those in need? Are they
alert to the opportunity to serve the less fortunate?
8. GRACIOUSNESS: respect and discipline.
Does _________ demonstrate care and concern for all
stakeholders? Are they nurturing relationships?
The Candidate Integrity Test© has been provided to
you, the reader, in anticipation of the upcoming elections
in the United States. However, in reality, every interaction
reflects, in some way or another, the Eight
Attributes of an Integrity-Centered Organization. How well individuals
score may determine their longer-term impact; and sometimes
shorter-term as well. To be objective about one's own behavior,
soliciting feedback to confirm accuracy, can go a long
way in improving the quality of life, both personally and
professionally. Whether an individual is a candidate for
public office, an executive leading an organization, a
parent or spouse guiding relationships - family member
or friend -- the need is high for interpersonal integrity.
Here is one way to assess your own, utilizing our "mirror" for
accuracy and immediacy.
Interpersonal Integrity:
portrayed by our "mirror"*
The Portrait© Process*
*A "mirror" offering increased self-awareness
represents the greatest single opportunity to leverage
interpersonal integrity and effectiveness. Objective behavior
information obtained through an in-depth effectiveness
study helps leaders recognize their strengths and vulnerabilities.
The Portrait© is more than a snapshot. The interpretation
and application of the data capture the capacity and the
potential of the individual.
The Portrait© provides insights that enable our clients
to know when, where and how to function more effectively.
Interpersonal integrity causes executives to be more at
ease with their leadership responsibilities, supervisory
roles, and organizational relationships. The Portrait© provides
an accurate mirror for leaders as they build on their interpersonal
integrity. The team application of the Portrait© process
creates an environment between and among team members that
fosters trust and loyalty, enhancing productivity.
The Portrait© serves as a building block to improve
communications with colleagues. By learning more efficient
ways to understand, appreciate and accommodate diverse
management styles, productivity can be increased. Six benefits
of the Portrait© are:
- Refined listening skills
- Faster communication
- Clarity on issues
- Vision which calls for action
- Culture that shapes operating behavior
- Team member engagement
http://www.brachercenter.com/PortraitProcess.html
Thank you again, for helping to constructively communicate
that, yes, it is true: Integrity really matters, in business,
personally and politically, and, yes, it matters, all the
time. When Jane and I went to the Election Office to vote
absentee, we saw this poster and wanted to share it. It
offers wisdom and a reminder: "Sometimes
it takes a four-letter word: VOTE!"
Please vote!
Sincerely,
Jim
