Psalm 101:2 “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.”    

It is a given that the foundational character trait of leadership is integrity and it is without exception included in all leadership manuals and God’s Word.  A leader cannot be trustworthy without integrity and no one wants to follow a leader who is not trustworthy.  This is true in every walk of life from personal, family, work and church.  Integrity comes from the root word of “integer” or whole number and means to be complete with absolute truth and honesty.  We can only be made complete in Jesus and live according to the truth of God’s Word.  We should all stop periodically let the Lord examine us to see if we are continuously trustworthy.  Does your family always see you as trustworthy? 

Trust is not given freely to anyone but has to be earned and protected.  Here are just three actions to make this happen:   

1) Keep your promises and your word to others.  They will be looking to see if you are a man of your word and that your actions are the same as your word.  This is how your followers will trust what you say and follow you.  We earn the right to expect others to keep their word by first keeping ours.   

2) Speak and stand for what is right and important.  People can’t read your mind so don’t leave them guessing.  Make sure they know what is in your heart and what you will stand for and what you will not stand for.  This also takes courage, another key character trait of leadership.  You set the core values and will be respected for them.   

3) Be fair to those you lead and let them know that you care for them.  How else can you build a family or a team?  Be fair and don’t play favorites.  Hold yourself and those whom you lead accountable.  Trustworthiness must become a personal relationship between the leader and those whom he leads – followers.   

A leader will not be followed unless he is worthy to be followed.  Are you trustworthy?