
Thomas Jefferson said, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
Being an inspiring coach is as much about who you are as it is about what you do. Your character is rooted in your values, those things that are vital to you and reflect your uniqueness and priorities. Your values, not your circumstances or fleeting feelings, should dictate your decisions and behavior. Your values about people and performance should guide your approach to coaching your team.
Personal values— like excellence, honesty, and openness—in and of themselves are just concepts and may be hard to put your finger on. However, once you convert those values into behaviors you can observe, then you can measure, manage, and live them.
Although choosing your values is certainly a personal matter, there are a few values inspiring coaches share: integrity, humility and caring.
Integrity
Without a doubt, your personal integrity is your most prized possession. Each day, that integrity is constantly tested, and you have an opportunity to prove it or lose it with every decision you make. If you compromise your integrity, your team will stop following you out of commitment and will follow you only out of compliance with your position. If people stop following you, you aren’t really leading anymore, regardless of your title.
Leading with integrity is not always the easiest thing to do, but it is always the right thing to do. Choosing to do the right thing—even when it’s painful—ensures you will maintain your integrity throughout your personal and professional journey.
We will address the values Humility and Caring next week.
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