Just Say It
“Say what you mean and mean what you say.” — General George S. Patton
Looks good on paper; however, most people are too afraid to say what they mean.
And if they do say what they mean, they don’t say it like they mean it.
Too chicken.
Human nature. Pathetic.
And we complain and wonder why our life isn’t optimized.
Leadership priorities. Probably the single most important “to do” on a great leader’s list. Right?
At the top for me is a compelling vision. Then acting with integrity. And thirdly, building trust.
But these aren’t the priorities I’m talking about.
I’m referring to personal, moral priorities.
A few months ago, I had the privilege to hear a Fortune 100 President give a speech. To my surprise he listed his as:
Didn’t see that one coming. Career was third. As a Fortune 100 President. Wow.
Live authentically, serve humbly, live to make other’s dreams come true.
“Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.” — Bette Davis
You know what? Maybe it’s integrity that’s the most important leadership characteristic.
Yes, definitely, integrity has to be the most important leadership characteristic. How could it not be?
Isn’t integrity the most critical of all leadership values? A great leader must have integrity.
Someone who adheres to moral and ethical principles. A person with sound moral character. An honest person.
All of this sounds great – a leader who is honest, with sound moral character. A perfect person. This makes a great leader.
Waaaaait a minnnnnute. Who knows anyone who is perfect?
Trust is often placed on the list of top leadership skills, while people are compiling key leadership skills and attributes.
How important is trust when stacked up against all the other critical leadership values?
Ever ponder the top key leadership values great leaders possess? Are you now? Good. Here are some that always make the list:
What do you say is your number one leadership trait?
For me, it’s trust. Everything else revolves around this simple, and often overlooked leader character trait. I place trust ahead of passion, because a leader may have passion, but people mistrust motives, for example.
If you think about it, trust really is the key leadership attribute that great leaders possess. May I trust that you’ll come back tomorrow?
Did you work out today?
Yesterday?
Within the past three days?
Hey, not trying to make you feel guilty. You’re probably going to do that all by yourself.
If you are exercising regularly, you’re setting a good example for yourself and especially for others.
If you’re not, well, not really sure what to say. It’s not my place to judge others. We’re all going through some sort of challenge right now. And most likely, we always will be.
That’s one of the secrets of life and business. It’s always going to be tough.
Back to the point – and I do have one. 
What we do says more about us than what we say. Far more.
“Our actions speak louder than words“.
Profoundly simple. Simply profound.
Here’s the way I sum it all up. You’re probably going to have to re-read it a few times, and once you get it, it’s simply profound:
“It matters little to walk to do the preaching, if not the walking, is the preaching“.
PS. Off to the gym. Gonna practice what I preach. jungle jeff