Years ago, I came across this quotation by Brian Tracy which says:
"The glue that holds all relationships together -- including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity." --Brian Tracy
To me, integrity is knowing who we really are, our purpose, values, direction , vision and the legacy we want to leave. I believe it is all all about getting ourselves whole first, so we don’t look somewhere else or to someone else to complete us or to do anything which should be done ourselves. We deserve the best and we have to be the best ourselves before we can expect anyone else to do that same. But how many of our politicians want to be the best?
Perhaps that is the malady of many in our country - a condition which has retarded instead of spurring our growth.
For too long, many are like Thomas Wilson in Somerset Maugham's The Lotus Eater:
Most people, the vast majority in fact, lead the lives that circumstances have thrust upon them, and though some repine, looking upon themselves as round pegs in square holes, and think that if things had been different they might have made a much better showing, the greater part accept their lot, if not with serenity, at all events with resignation. They are like train-cars travelling forever on the selfsame rails. They go backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, inevitably, till they can go no longer and then are sold as scrap-iron. It is not often that you find a man who has boldly taken the course of his life into his own hands. When you do, it is worth while having a good look at him.Each of us has different motives for a particular action and it is the same for politicians. To be a political leader, one must believe in integrity, display impeccable integrity and operate from the highest level of integrity.
To be a good political leader, that person must be in the state or quality of completeness, wholeness and has successfully dealth with any emotional baggage of past that plagued him/her. To carry any baggage with him/her would be akin to carrying a time bomb after which a host of problems might beset him/her. For instance, if one joined Party B after resigning from Party A, he should have left behind whatever corruptible culture he had adopted and take on a new persona, forgetting what lies behind and also clearing whatever debts and old issues from the past. Failure to do so would mean that he could still be yearning for the lifestyle of Party A much like a man yearning for his first love after a divorce and after remarrying. And that is exactly what we see before us. To prevent this scenario from becoming a stumbling block again, spring cleaning must be carried out and all must be orientated in the same direction.
Apart from that, the person must have moral soundness in all aspects of his life and demonstrate honesty and freedom from corrupting influence or motive. There is no looking back to the past once he has assumed a new role. If any self-doubt occurs, this has to be dealt with and he has to talk to the RIGHT persons.
Each of us has our own unique path to travel. Living our lives with integrity is about honouring our souls and being true to ourselves.
Once a person demonstrates INTEGRITY, followers can TRUST them and then there can be binding allegiance and unity.
Tragically, in so many areas - integrity is missing and yet, some who lack it can have the cheek to demand the same from others. Such double standards only serve to exacerbate the problem, thereby undermining the relationship between the one who is TRYING to lead but cannot (for the lack of integrity and other factors) and the one being led.
Unless our politicians realize the root of leadership is integrity and work with commitment to ensure this is seen in all aspects of their deliberations, I guess they will just remain as politicians...and not leaders.
Selvi True leaders care about the people they serve.
Half-past six politicians merely care about themselves and their pockets.