Continuing our employee engagement series, this month I will offer some thoughts on the fifth attribute of a culture of engagement: Visible integrity.
You are being watched.
Yes, as a leader in your facility or community, your employees are continuously observing what you say and do, as well as what you don’t say and don’t do. They notice what you pay attention to and how you behave in various situations. They witness how you address issues and how you react in a crisis. They take their lead from how you interact with residents and families. Employees are very aware of inconsistencies between your words and actions.
I know the phrase “walking your talk” may sound a bit cliché, but you just can’t get around the fact that if leaders don’t demonstrate visible integrity, they lose the credibility that would otherwise allow them to impact a culture of engagement. Believing that you are granted credibility and trustworthiness by virtue of your position is a dangerous assumption.