Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
INTEGRITY
- Aug 12, 2024
INTEGRITY
Armed forces thrive upon integrity of its leaders and men down the line. This is mainly because it is about valour, honour and safety of your motherland — all esoteric and lofty ideas!
In the Corporate world, because the whole game is about generating profits, there is a lot of scope for cutting corners and taking shortcuts. Hence when I find someone who is absolutely committed to honest working and is averse to any compromise, I regard that person as a soldier for the nation!
Don’t be surprised when I tell you that more often than not such persons are found to be ex-servicemen in second innings of their lives.
One such person I chanced upon during my Corporate career was our store In-charge ex Indian Air Force Seargent RB Singh. He is independently presiding over an empire of crores of rupees and maintaining strict control over vast inventory. I found him to be a stickler for policy guidelines and will not budge from the laid down Standing Operating Procedures.
He is comparatively old, more than 65 years of age, yet physically fit and mentally alert. He fights for every person’s right when any matter of wrong deductions comes up. On the other hand he takes up cudgels against any actual or perceived neglect in recovering any amount due.
I have seen him locking hours with officials of a sister concern for dues which were due to the mother company – even when owners of both are common!
A person of his position and responsibility could easily go astray and take personal benefits from the hoardes of contractors that he deals with.
He is with the Organization for almost 15 years and is considered indispensable and a collosal in the Company.
There is a lesson is this for future leaders, you must perform wherever you are placed and system will give you whatever you need – more salary and promotions when you are young and due respect, stability as also good salary when you are a senior citizen. What you deserve invariably comes your way if you work with honesty and integrity.
Imagine you’re working on a crucial project with a tight deadline. Your leader has outlined a clear plan and assured you of their support throughout. Initially, this sounds promising. However, as pressure mounts, they start cutting corners and making ethically questionable decisions, ultimately jeopardizing the project’s success. Frustrating, isn’t it?
This scenario highlights a lack of integrity, a gap between words and actions, which can be detrimental to effective leadership. Such inconsistencies erode trust, demotivate teams, and hinder overall success. So, how does one cultivate integrity as a leader? It’s important to understand that integrity isn’t a one-time act but a core value that should permeate all decisions and interactions.
“Actions speak louder than words,” especially in leadership. Your team is always observing, comparing your behavior with your stated values. Any disconnect between what you say and what you do can severely damage your credibility. For instance, if you emphasize the importance of work-life balance but are constantly pulling all-nighters and expecting your team to do the same, your message loses its impact. Demonstrating integrity through consistent actions inspires your team to follow suit, building trust and fostering a positive work environment.
Integrity thrives in an environment of honesty and transparency. Being truthful with your team, even when the news isn’t pleasant, is crucial. Sugarcoating difficult situations or keeping your team in the dark breeds suspicion and erodes trust. While transparency doesn’t mean sharing every detail, it involves keeping your team informed about significant decisions and challenges that impact their work. Being upfront about roadblocks and involving your team in finding solutions fosters a sense of ownership and builds trust.
Leading with integrity isn’t always easy. There will be times when you’re faced with tough decisions, and the easy path might not be the ethical one. This is where your core values come into play. A leader with integrity stands up for what is right, even if it’s unpopular or means sacrificing personal gain. This doesn’t mean being a martyr or hindering progress but carefully considering options, weighing potential consequences, and making decisions that align with your ethical principles.
Everyone makes mistakes. A leader with integrity doesn’t try to hide them or shift the blame. Taking responsibility for your actions, both good and bad, is essential. When things go wrong, acknowledge it openly and honestly. Analyze the situation with your team, identify the root cause, and develop strategies to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This willingness to learn from mistakes demonstrates humility and builds trust with your team.
Your team looks to you for cues on behavior and attitude. To cultivate a culture of integrity, you must embody it yourself. Be honest in your dealings with your team and superiors. Follow through on your commitments and hold yourself accountable to the same high standards you expect from others. By leading by example, you inspire your team to embrace integrity as a core value.
Building and maintaining integrity is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time achievement. There will be temptations and challenges, but staying true to your core values and leading with honesty, transparency, and accountability will earn the trust and respect of your team. Remember, integrity isn’t about achieving moral superiority; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to do the right thing. When this happens, your team transforms from a collection of individuals into a force for positive change within your organization.
Major General Balraj Mehta
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta