IMPACTING LIVES ● DEVELOPING LEADERS
Session 1: Introduction to “Integrity” By Dr. Henry Cloud
SESSION 1 OBJECTIVES: • To understand the overall purpose of the Integrity curriculum, establish expectations of this module and to critically discuss the introductory chapters (1-3). (THINK it) • To think critically about and discuss the key points of the first 3 chapters of “Integrity”, by Dr. H To adjust behaviors and attitudes as they relate to the development of integrity
in our leadership abilities. (SHOW it) WHAT and SO WHAT? What can we expect from this module on Integrity? Over the next 8 weeks we will be exploring the value of our character as it relates to numerous areas of our leadership. Through personal reading, reflection, and discussion we will look at the following dimensions of character: • Establishing Trust –through connection, extending favor, and vulnerability. • Being Oriented Toward Truth –being in touch with reality. • Getting Results – finishing well. • Embracing the Negative – or “eating problems for breakfast”. • Being Oriented toward Increase – getting better all the time. • Being Oriented toward Transcendence –when you’re small, you’re bigger. Key Points from Chapters 1 and 2: ¾ “Who a person is will ultimately determine if their brains, talents, competencies, energy, effort, deal-making abilities, and opportunities will succeed.” (page 8) For discussion: What does that statement mean? Have you observed or worked with leaders who never fully reached their full potential due to character flaws? As you consider our vision as an organization of “Impacting Lives and Developing Leaders”, how do see the connection with this study of INTEGRITY? ¾
A fully integrated character will be able to: (pages 9-10) 1. Gain the complete trust of the people they are leading, and capture their full hearts and following. 2. See all the realities that were right in front of them. No blind spots regarding themselves, others, or even the markets, customers, projects, opportunities, or other external realities that kept them from reaching their goals. 3. Work in a way that actually produces the outcomes that they should produce, given their abilities and resources. 4. Deal with problem people, negative situations, obstacles, failures, setbacks, and losses. 5. Create growth in their organization, their people, themselves, their profits, or their industry. 6. Transcend their own interests and give themselves to larger purposes, becoming part of a larger vision.
For discussion: As you consider the six elements of a fully integrated character, what initially strikes you as the most challenging to address and why? What are the barriers to developing these attributes of a fully integrated character?
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IMPACTING LIVES ● DEVELOPING LEADERS We can better avoid these 3 pitfalls when we address all elements of our character: (pg. 11) Hitting a performance ceiling that is much lower than one’s aptitude. Hitting an obstacle or situation that derails you. Reaching great success only to self-destruct and lose it all. For discussion: What do you see as the connection between the lack of a fully integrated character and these 3 major pitfalls? Can you think of a leader (whether known publically or personally to you) who you have observed being “taken out” by one or more of these pitfalls? ¾ As a person goes through a company, he or she leaves a wake behind. (pg 16) ¾ The two sides of our wakes are: The task The relationships For discussion: As you consider this concept of leaving a “wake”, can you think of an example of someone who left either a positive or negative wake? What sort of impact did he/she have on their environment? ¾
“Character = the ability to meet the demands of reality.” (pg. 2128) For discussion: Describe what you believe that statement means.
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The definitions of “INTEGRITY” (pg 31) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principals; moral uprightness. The state of being whole or undivided. The condition of being unified, unimpaired, or sound in construction. Internal consistency or lack of corruption.
For discussion: What has been your own personal definition of Integrity ? How has this presentation of Integrity by Dr. Cloud challenged you personally (or has it)? How do you connect these definitions to the idea of “running on all cylinders”? ¾
What kind of “force” will you be? (pg. 41) “When you move through life, through your company or organization, through your career, and through your relationships, your character is going to be a “force”. The question is what kind of force will it be?
For discussion: Take a moment and write down the description of the “force” you would like to be within TMSi and your other relationships.
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IMPACTING LIVES ● DEVELOPING LEADERS
NOW WHAT: Take a moment to write down any “a-ha” moments you have had from this discussion. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ For next session: Read chapters 4-6: Character Dimension One: Establishing Trust
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