Revealing Integrity
Integrity is one of those words we all agree is essential—especially in board governance. But what does it actually look like around the board table? It’s not just about honesty or doing the right thing when people are watching. In the boardroom, integrity is revealed in small choices, tough moments, and how we treat one another when stakes are high.
Here are three ways I’ve seen integrity show up (or not) in boardrooms—and the impact it has:
1️⃣ Integrity is the Compass, Not the Map
Think of integrity as a compass—steady, directional, quietly guiding your decisions even when the landscape is unfamiliar. You may not always know the exact route to take, but you know which way is true north.
✅ When integrity is present, directors speak the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. They admit what they don’t know. They hold the mission of the organization above their personal ego or agenda.
🔻 When it’s missing, you start to feel drift. Small misalignments get ignored. The board may still function—but it’s navigating without a compass. Over time, you lose sight of what really matters.
Tip: Revisit the organization's purpose often. Ask yourself and your board, “Are we aligned with our north star?”
2️⃣ Integrity is a Clean Pane of Glass
Imagine sitting at a board table where the windows are spotless. Everyone can see clearly—no smudges, no filters. That’s what it feels like when integrity is in the room: transparency, clarity, and trust.
✅ With integrity, people speak plainly. Conflicts of interest are disclosed before they become problems. Questions aren’t danced around—they’re addressed head-on, with respect and transparency.
🔻 Without it, the glass fogs up. Information is withheld or spun. People start to posture. It becomes harder to trust the process, and second-guessing takes root.
Tip: Lead by example. Transparency breeds transparency.
3️⃣ Integrity is the Backbone, Not the Armour
Some directors confuse bravado with strength. But true integrity isn’t about being bulletproof—it’s about having a strong, flexible spine that keeps you upright when pressure builds.
✅ When integrity is the backbone, directors stay principled and adaptive. They don’t hide behind process or policy—they engage, question, and make courageous decisions with grace.
🔻 When it’s armour, people go quiet behind formalities. Or worse, they bulldoze over others in the name of “tough decisions.” Either way, it creates a brittle environment that resists feedback or collaboration.
Tip: Watch for tone. Strength and humility can—and must—coexist.
Final thought:
Integrity in the boardroom isn’t something you declare—it’s something you demonstrate, over and over again. When it’s present, trust grows. When it’s missing, no amount of strategy can compensate for its absence.