The Four Factors of Effective Leadership

Four-Way Test

Since starting this blog, I seem to be stuck on the second factor, integrity. I'm not sure why. It just seems like it keeps coming up.

Today I did a presentation on The Freak Factor for the Duplin Rotary Club. They close their sessions with a recital of The Four-Way Test, which was developed by Robert Taylor, President of the Chicago Rotary, in 1932.

It is a simple guide for making ethical decisions in difficult situations.

1. 1. Is it the truth?
2. 2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
6. These seem like helpful questions for leaders who want to maintain their integrity.

Audio University

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever." - Gandhi

The fourth factor of effective leadership is improvement, which includes learning and personal development. One practical way to become a constant learner is to enroll in Audio University, a modification of Zig Ziglar's Automobile University. As Zig explained, our time in the car is a great opportunity for growth. He suggested listening to tapes behind the wheel and, although tapes are almost obsolete, the idea is more relevant than ever.

Fortunately, Itunes and Audible.com make it easier than ever to take an audiobook with you wherever you go. I like to listen while running and driving.

Unfortunately, many books are still not available in audio format. However, Roy at 800-CEO-Read is on the case. He searches out the best business books available for your listening pleasure and posts them on the 8CR blog. His most recent post has some good recommendations, including some of my favorites:

• Made to Stick
• What Got You Here Won't Get You There
• The Speed of Trust
• Meatball Sundae

If you want to lead, you need to learn. Given the time constraints that most of us face, audiobooks are a great way to learn on the go.

When no one is looking

One of the four factors of effective leadership is integrity and an important element of integrity is character. I like the definition that character is who you are when no one is looking.

If you doubt the importance of a leader's character and integrity, and many do, just take a few moments to examine the fallout from New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's recent involvement with prostitutes.

It is important to consider who you really are when no one is looking because, at some point, people might be looking. Right now, people are examining who Eliot Spitzer was when he thought no one was looking and what they are finding is undermining his ability to lead.

One helpful guide for making ethical decisions is the newspaper test. Before doing anything that might be unethical ask yourself a simple question. "Would I want anyone to read about this in tomorrow's newspaper?" If the answer is no, then don't do it. This isn't just a hypothetical exercise, as Spitzer's situation demonstrates, it is quite possible that your actions will actually end up in the newspaper or on a blog or on Youtube or on the local news.

Additionally, Spitzer's actions are especially damaging because, as Attorney General of New York, he built a reputation for integrity. Ironically, he was responsible for exposing prostitution rings during his tenure. 

Furthermore, as a father of three young girls, I was saddened when I learned that Spitzer also has three daughters. Regardless of the political ramifications, this revelation will have a terrible impact on his family, especially on his girls and their relationship with their father and other men in the future. His actions also send a terrible message to girls everywhere about the value of women and the way they should be treated in our society.

Lest this seem like a partisan attack on a Democratic Governor, it is important to note that many Democrats have criticized Spitzer's actions. Moreover, the Republicans are no strangers to sexual impropriety, as the recent actions of Republican Senators David Vitter and Larry Craig clearly demonstrate.