Page 198 - Appreciative Leadership

The Path of Integrity 171

Principles provide guidance about how to succeed; and as such,
they serve as criteria for learning, assessment, and recognition. For

example, the belief that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar
suggests the need to teach people how to be kind, considerate, and
sweet like honey; assess people to see how well they perform to the
principle; and recognize people who successfully conduct themselves
according to the principle and get the promised results, thereby catch-
ing more fl ies!

Reflect now on the principles that are most

PAUSE
important to you and your success? Consider the
following:

• What do you believe creates high performance?
• What do you believe is the appropriate role of
supervision and management?
• What do you think contributes to learning, growth, and
human development?
• What, for you, constitutes healthy relationships?
• What do you believe makes a great team?
• What is your code of conduct in relation to the natural
environment?
• What are your standards of excellence?

As you can see, your principles are, a composite of your values and
beliefs about the best way of being, working, learning, and living. Th ey
are statements of your ideals and as such they articulate your preferred
leadership style and explain your performance. When your principles,
your communication, and your performance are congruent, you are on
the path of integrity. People will describe you as “walking the talk,” and
they will respect you and your expressions of leadership.