“Honor is better than honors.” — Abraham Lincoln

After surveying thousands of people around the world, authors James Kouzes and Barry Posner identified those characteristics most desired by people in a leader. In virtually every survey, honesty or integrity was identified more frequently than any other trait.

Warren Buffet, now the wealthiest man in the world with an estimated net worth of $62 billion, places very high priority on integrity. He says, “I look for three things in hiring people. The first is personal integrity, the second is intelligence, and the third is a high energy level. But, if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”

The Bottom Line: Leaders give their word and keep it and place a high value on the integrity of those people around them.