A High-Ground Leader: Values-Based, Principle-Centered, Character-Driven

What draws people to follow a leader?

Is it charisma, intellect, or notable accomplishments?

Or perhaps persuasive skills or a dominating presence?

Knowing that these characteristics are commonly found in positive-impact leaders, I asked myself if they could also be found in negative-impact leaders.

This question led me to think of those who left legacies marked by deceit, destruction, and harm:

• Adolf Hitler incited World War II and the Holocaust through his oratory, propaganda, and dominating presence, leading to widespread devastation and millions of deaths.
• Jim Jones used charismatic, persuasive preaching to lead his followers into the Jonestown massacre, resulting in over 900 deaths in a mass murder-suicide.
• Bernie Madoff relied on his charisma, financial expertise, and notable prior accomplishments to orchestrate a massive Ponzi scheme, defrauding investors and causing financial ruin.
• Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling, with their combined intellect and dominance as top executives of Enron, engaged in corporate fraud, leading to bankruptcy and harm to employees and investors.
• Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, used her charisma and persuasiveness to mislead patients and deceive investors, eroding trust in medical innovations.

In stark contrast, the following positive-impact leaders came to mind:

• Winston Churchill, who showed steadfast leadership and resilience during wartime, was committed to democratic values and integrity, unlike those who used power for destructive purposes.
• Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his moral clarity and advocacy for civil rights through nonviolent resistance, setting him apart from those whose divisive tactics led to destructive or violent outcomes.
• Mother Teresa was distinguished by her compassion and selfless humanitarian work, unlike those who misled or exploited others for personal gain.
• Billy Graham earned widespread respect and trust for his integrity, effective communication, and unwavering commitment to faith and ethical leadership, as opposed to those whose charisma masked unethical behavior.
• Warren Buffett is admired for his ethical investing principles and conduct, characterized by his transparency and long-term commitment to financial stewardship, in contrast to those who engaged in deceitful financial schemes.

So, I asked myself – what characteristics separate positive-impact leaders from negative-impact leaders?

My answer was the radical difference in values, principles and character. Positive-impact leaders have "high-ground standards" - the others don't.

"High-ground" leaders embody a values-based, principle-centered, character-driven standard that people are naturally drawn to follow.

Values-Based

"Values-based" involves grounding actions and decisions in a clear set of personal and organizational values. Leaders who embrace this approach:

➢ Earn Trust - They set the example by the consistency in their words, actions, and behavior, along with effective communication that earns and builds trust among their teams and stakeholders.
➢ Cultivate a Healthy Culture - They create an organizational culture that supports responsible behavior and collective purpose by prioritizing values such as integrity, respect, responsibility and transparency.
➢ Align and Motivate - They align organizational goals with core values, providing employees a clear direction while increasing motivation, collaboration and cohesiveness.

Principle-Centered

"Principle-centered" focuses on fundamental truths and standards that provide guidelines, guardrails or directional markers to stay on the right path. Leaders who are principle-centered:

➢ Ensure Fairness and Consistency - They use principles as benchmarks for making fair and consistent decisions.
➢ Encourage Ethical Conduct - By adhering to principles such as transparency, honesty, and accountability, they set a standard for professional conduct that others can follow.
➢ Navigate Complexity - In challenging or ambiguous situations, principles serve as a reliable guide for decision-making, helping leaders stay true to their values and commitments.

Character-Driven

"Character-driven" is about embodying traits like integrity, humility, courage, and resilience. Leaders with strong character:

➢ Inspire and Influence - Their personal qualities inspire trust and respect, enabling them to influence others as they lead by example.
➢ Build Genuine Relationships - They take personal responsibility for creating meaningful connections with employees, partners, and customers, which is crucial for long-term success and loyalty.
➢ Exude Credibility and Authenticity - A leader's consistency in integrity and transparency establishes credibility and demonstrates authenticity, which is essential for building and maintaining trust and authority in leadership roles.

Integrative Impact of Values, Principles and Character

When integrated, values, principles, and character form a cohesive framework for high-ground leadership. Leaders who adhere to this framework:

➢ Promote Sustainable Success - They create an environment where ethical/principled behavior, sound decisions and long-term thinking are prioritized over short-term gains or personal preferences.
➢ Lead with Moral Authority - Their leadership is grounded not just in positional power but in moral authority, which is derived from consistently living out their values, principles, and character traits.
➢ Empower Others - High-ground leaders not only lead by example but also empower others to embody the same values, principles and character, leading to a corporate culture of high standards.

Final Thoughts

I believe our values form the foundation of our guiding principles, which shape our thinking and decision-making. As a result, a person's character is revealed through their words, actions, behaviors, and the fruit they produce, whether good or bad.

History and current events show that not all leaders adhere to the same values or principles. Some focus on power, position, and possessions or achieving worldly success but often leave a trail of dysfunction and destruction, adversely affecting people, organizations, economies, and countries.

In contrast, "high-ground" leaders attract followers by embodying qualities people admire and trust. Their commitment to values and principles promotes a positive and motivating environment that draws people to them, enhances their personal credibility and organizational integrity and drives lasting positive change.

"To value oneself and, at the same time, subordinate oneself to higher purpose and principles is the paradoxical essence of highest humanity and the foundation of effective leadership." Stephen R. Covey, author of Principle-Centered Leadership