Welcome to the summer leadership series — Week 1! Each week we cover 1 of the 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders and include a “case study” that you can share with your team, organization, family, and peers to inspire highly successful leadership!
This week is principle #1: Be True to Character!
What Is Being True to Character
A leader who is true to character acts in accordance with their values and principles, even when it is difficult. They are honest, true, and have integrity. They are transparent in their dealings with others, and they are fair and ethical in their decisions. They are also accountable for their actions and take responsibility for their mistakes.
Why It Matters
People will respect and trust leaders they know to be honest, true, fair, and ethical. Productivity, collaboration, and morale thrive in the wake of this trust and credibility. People want to be a part of the resulting culture. When people fail the character test, however, productivity, trust, morale, collaboration, and communication all take a big dive!
Case Study: JC Penney
James Cash (JC) Penney, the founder of the department store chain that still bears his name, built his business on a foundation of strong character and unwavering integrity. The importance of character was deeply ingrained in him from a young age.
Growing up in rural Missouri, Penney was instilled with the values of hard work, thrift, and honesty. As an example, one way he earned money was growing and selling watermelons. To avoid paying the vendor fee inside the fairgrounds, he set up shop just outside the gates — he thought it was a strategic move! His parents found him, told him to go home, and explained to him that he was “stealing” from vendors who paid to have their watermelons sold within the fairgrounds. He hadn’t considered that. Even though it was “legal,” he committed to doing what was ethical, fair, and right by others.
This philosophy was evident in the very principles upon which he built his stores. Initially called “The Golden Rule Store,” Penney’s early establishments operated on the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. He empowered his employees, sharing profits and fostering a sense of ownership. He insisted on selling quality merchandise at fair prices and operating with complete transparency. He was a person of character!
And during economically challenging times — when it’s easy to justify a compromise of character — he refused to compromise his principles and how he treated others.
JC Penney shared that when he passed, he’d like others to say, “Now here lies an honest man.” Of all that could be said of him, that is how he wanted to be remembered. And that is how he lived his life, and indeed, that is how we remember him. You can read a full story of his life here.
So, Now What?
So, like JC Penney, choose to be a person of character, integrity, honesty, fairness, and transparency. Know your values and principles, and live by them. You will sleep well at night, you will be proud of the life you live, you will create trust and respect with all around you, and you will be remembered not just for what you do, but for who you are. That’s becoming your best!
“We test our every policy, method, and act in this wise:
‘Does it square with what is right and just?'”— JC Penney
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