Here’s a scenario: There is a regulation placed on your team that you must follow if you play by the rules. Now you’re the leader of the team. There is tremendous pressure from the outside world on your team to make your targets. You know of the regulation and you believe that you find a way around it.
What would you do in this moment of truth?
Would you follow the law to the letter and suffer losses in the eyes of the public? Or would you try to find ways to game the system and then hope that you’re not caught?
The choice is obvious. You tell the truth. End of story.
But take a minute to think of how regularly this scenario occurs.
Let’s say you’re the CEO of the Volkswagen group. Or you’re the vice-president of the United States deciding if to go to war. Or you’re the coach of the best team in the league. Every day there is some event which for you, could be called a moment of truth.
What will you do when those insidious voices keep pestering you to lie, cheat and steal? Will you have the backbone to tell your truth? Or will you listen to the fear and try to save yourself from trouble?
These moments of truth happen to every leader, no matter the size of the team. And the right answer in all of those situations is always the truth. No matter the consequence.
It’s not easy, but it’s always worth it.
A New Source Code 