The Heartbeat of Leadership
Leadership is not just about vision, strategy, or even results—it’s about character. And at the core of character lie two essential qualities: integrity and candour.
As a nation, we’ve seen the devastating effects of leadership without integrity. South Africa bears deep scars from years of corruption and compromised values, not just in the public sector but also in many areas of business. When leaders forget the importance of honesty and accountability, the consequences are catastrophic; trust erodes, systems collapse, and the people suffer.
But here’s the truth: integrity doesn’t start with grand gestures. It starts with the small things.
A few years ago, my wife and I visited the George Farmer’s Market in the beautiful Western Cape. She ordered one pancake and was mistakenly given three. Without hesitation, she alerted the young lady at the stall. A man standing nearby turned to her and asked, “Why tell her? You could’ve had three pancakes for the price of one.”
My wife replied gently but firmly, “Because that would be dishonest.”
That simple moment moved me deeply. It reminded me that true integrity shows up not when people are watching, but when they’re not. It’s revealed not in our public statements, but in the quiet choices we make each day.
If we can’t be trusted with the little things—returning extra change, showing up on time, keeping our word—how can we be trusted with the weighty matters of leadership? The foundation of credibility is built one small act at a time.
Candour, too, is critical. Leaders who lack the courage to speak truth—especially when it’s uncomfortable—ultimately do more harm than good. People crave authenticity. They long for leaders who are honest, even when it’s hard. Candour, tempered with kindness and humility, builds strong teams, fosters trust, and leads to transformation.
The leaders South Africa needs now—indeed, the leaders our world needs—are those who understand that integrity is not optional, and candour is not cruel. They are the ones who know that a nation, like a life, is shaped by the values we choose to live by one decision at a time.
So, the next time you’re given three pancakes when you ordered one, ask yourself: what kind of leader do I want to be? Because in the end, it’s the small things that reveal the big things.
Dave Boreham
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