Choosing Integrity over Self Interest

by Marguerite Granat on July 4, 2009

Post image for Choosing Integrity over Self Interest

Today is our independence day and I’ve decided to start Peak History with this post about Integrity. Of all the leadership competencies I think that this one is non-negotiable.

John Adams had a lot of integrity and lost his opportunity to become president for a second term because he chose what he thought was right for our country rather than what would make him most popular. If you would like to learn more about him you can find more information at http://bit.ly/170nN1.

The Challenge

During his presidency our country was very fragile. We did not have a navy and would be weakened if we went to war.  Adams wanted to keep us neutral from either favoring England or France. France was in a war with England and wanted us to support them since they had helped us win our independence and we had signed an agreement to defend them in case of war.  His Federalist party favored England and he was faced with a tough decision to make.

His Choice

Rather than pleasing his own party, he made a decision that it was in our best interest to keep us out of war. His vision of neutrality guided him in all his decisions. The choice he made was to sacrifice the opportunity to get reelected and do what he felt was best for the long term benefit of the young United States. He sent a delegation to France to negotiate a new treaty and continued to keep friendly relations with England. There was a lot of pressure on him to take a stand, yet he refused to change his position.

The Outcome

A treaty was signed with France preventing an unnecessary war. He lost the opportunity to become president for a second term. Reflecting on his career he said that his greatest achievement had been the preservation of peace during his presidency.

  • Have you had a situation where you had to choose integrity over self interest and got no credit from those around you?
  • Have you observed someone in a leadership role choose self interest over integrity?

 
 

 

 

 

Be Sociable, Share!

Tagged as: Integrity, Leadership

  • http://www.radiantveracity.com/ Stephanie A. Lloyd

    Hi Marguerite,

    Congratulations on starting your blog – and what a great start! I love that you succinctly spelled out John Adams’ conundrum and how he allowed his integrity to guide his decision-making process in order to protect the U.S. from entering an unnecessary war.

    I know I’ve been in plenty of situations where I chose integrity over self-interest, and it is those decisions that give me the confidence to keep moving forward because even if no one else is aware of the choice I made and why I can feel good about the decision and about myself.

    Way to go! I can’t wait to see what you write next. :-)

    Stephanie

    • Marguerite Granat

      Thanks for your encouragement, Stephanie. Your blog http://www.radiantveracity.com gave me the inspiration to start blogging. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and look forward to continuing our conversation.

  • Rachelle Dillon

    Indeed Marguerite, a wonderful start on historical day. Congratulations. I’m also struck by modern parallels of Iraq, Iran, Russia, Israel, and other nations. We MUST trust in the integrity of our leaders as our national fate is entwined with our co-inhabitants of the planet. You’ve hit the nail on the head about integrity as the foundation for these decisions as the single quality which tends to sustain decisions through time.
    Personally, I feel the best strategy is one of many great ones, “you can accomplish much if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
    I’m also struck by the way group dynamics influences our decision making- a jury being one example. Often “the leader” is accidental. A CEO is not, but influenced by the board and other winds that can throw integrity off course.
    I also think that self interest and integrity may not be opposing forces, but possibly the same force cloaked in habit or fear.

    Anyway- excellent blog which was very thought prokoking. I too look forward to the next one.

    • Marguerite Granat

      Rachelle, good point on whether self interest and integrity may not be opposing as long as the outcome is what is best for the health of the organization. Once the organization is compromised, I would say it becomes an opposing force. Thanks for your input! Great insights!

  • http://www.bearingfruitconsulting.com Michael Homula

    First, congratulations on your blog launch and first post. It is an excellent post. Interesting you start with John Adams as he is someone so few Americans spend any time getting to know and understand. I hope your readers will take a few minutes to learn more about this great leader and patriot.

    Integrity is critical indeed and, as you said, not negotiable in leaders. Unfortunately it is also the least found quality in leaders. In large part this is the result of external pressures, be it money, bonuses, shareholder returns etc. The pressure to get results is often in direct conflict with integrity.

    I have found in my numerous leadership roles that choosing Integrity over Self Interest more often than not goes completely unnoticed. When it is noticed it is usually unpopular, mocked and criticized. Rarely is it lauded. At West Point we had a saying that you should always choose the hard right over the easy wrong. It is often easier to do the wrong thing; to choose self interest over integrity. Choosing Integrity, the hard right, will not win you favor, bonuses or public praise but it will will earn the trust and loyalty of those you lead. Even if they don’t say it out loud.

    Integrity is hard to find in modern day leaders which is why your blog examining historical leaders is so timely. Robert E. Lee, so misunderstood by the politically correct among us today, was a man and a leader of unquestionable integrity. Would be worth an examination as you explore integrity further on your blog. Let me know if you would like to collaborate on Robert E. Lee.

    Great start and keep up the great work!
    Michael

    • Marguerite Granat

      Michael thanks for your well thought out comment on the importance of integrity and how often it’s easier to do the wrong thing. I also agree that Integrity is hard to find in modern day leaders and this is the reason I’m drawing inspiration from the past. I also believe that history repeats itself and we can learn so much from the mistakes of the past. Would love to collaborate with you on Robert E. Lee! It’s an honor to have you visit today! Your blog http://www.bearingfruitconsulting.com is one of my favorite reads and has always great insights on leadership.

  • http://mozzo.ru electromozzo

    Just wanted to say HI. I found your blog a few days ago on Technorati and have been reading it over the past few days.

  • http://vsemie.ru yapapanyatt

    Great tips and reminders as show-goers adjust budgets and schedules in this economically challenged period.

  • http://vrozovom.ru aspivaLiaffiz

    thanks for the great information…

  • Pingback: Touch Decisions and The Fork in the Road | Peak History

Next post: