The Leader in Youنموونە

Integrity

Have you ever wrestled with the following questions?

• What have I been put on earth to do?
• What am I passionate about?
• What is my circle of influence?

I certainly have. It seems that everyone is asking today how they can gain followers to build their platform and gain significance. Yet a platform that transforms through effective leadership does so, not through aesthetics like photoshopped images, but through integrity, character, authenticity, credibility, and influence. The motivation for our platform is not about finding significance in the eyes of others but from living a life pleasing to the One who has given us purpose.

Over the next five days, we’re going to look together at five characteristics of a transformative leadership platform. First up, integrity.

I value people who demonstrate integrity in public and in private. They value integrity—doing what is right—over compromising to please people and gain popularity.

Susan Payne, an event planner, was candid with those who knew her well, about her former struggles with theft and the fact that she had stolen hundreds of dollars from previous employers. When it came to events where she had to handle money, she would always have a cash-counting partner on hand to ensure she wasn’t left alone with the money. No one asked Susan to take this step. Yet her previous mistakes caused her to place greater value on guarding herself against being a thief so she could be trusted.

In leadership we should be committed to stewarding our platform with integrity rather than bowing to the selfish interests of popularity. Popularity is fleeting—here today and gone tomorrow. But integrity builds a legacy.

In today’s reading, reflect on how God values and protects those with integrity.