--- title: "The Role of Executive Leadership in Organizational Transformation: Demonstrating Integrity" description: This blog discusses the role of integrity in leadership for creating and sustaining change. image: https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/istock-1134244415_lr-1.jpg --- - [Report a Claim](https://www.amequity.com/report-a-claim) - [Member Login](https://www.amequity.com/log-in) [![Amequity](https://blog.amequity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/AEU-full-logo-color.png?width=252&height=81&name=AEU-full-logo-color.png "Amequity")](https://www.amequity.com/) - [Coverage](https://www.amequity.com/coverage) - Resources - [Safety Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/safety-resources) - [Claims Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/claims-resources) - [Medical Management Resources](https://www.amequity.com/resources/medical-management-resources) - [Leadership Training](https://www.amequity.com/resources/leadership-training) - [Advisory Services](https://www.amequity.com/resources/advisory-services) - [Events](https://www.amequity.com/events) - [Blog & Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/) - [Join Our Mailing List](https://www.amequity.com/join-our-mailing-list) - Who We Are - [About AEU](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/about-aeu) - [Newsroom](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/newsroom) - [Leadership](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/leadership) - [Careers](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are/careers) - [Contact](https://www.amequity.com/contact) Longshore Insider All other pages Aug 10, 2020 # The Role of Executive Leadership in Organizational Transformation: Demonstrating Integrity ![The Role of Executive Leadership in Organizational Transformation: Demonstrating Integrity](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/istock-1134244415_lr-1.jpg) In a recent [PwC pulse survey](https://www.pwc.com/us/en/library/covid-19/pwc-covid-19-cfo-pulse-survey.html?WT.mc_id=CT1-PL50-DM2-TR1-LS4-ND30-PRG6-CN_CFOSurvey3-&eq=CT1-PL50-DM2-CN_CFOSurvey3), 63% of organizations indicated changes were needed to existing products and services to meet revenue objectives moving forward. Among AEU LEAD workshop participants over the past two months, 100% have indicated changes are likely over the next two years in response to current market conditions. While change is inevitable, success is anything but. In this blog, the second of a three-part series on executive leadership’s role in creating and sustaining operational transitions, we're going to focus on effective leader character traits – specifically, the role and importance of integrity. **Leading by Example** John Maxwell once said, *“People don’t follow worthy causes; they follow worthy leaders with a cause they can believe in.”* Leadership at the top requires insight, perspective, and competence. Those attributes, however, hinge on the qualities of the personalities involved. Without a solid foundation of individual integrity, executives will never realize the full potential of influence. Organizations will struggle to make needed transitions in what promises to be an increasingly competitive and less forgiving marketplace. Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It's consistently demonstrating exemplary actions, showing humility, and routinely seeing the best in others – behaviors that often require deliberate and conscious effort. Simply put, it’s leading by example and walking the talk, every day. **Gaining Trust** The importance of executive leadership having integrity can’t be overstated. Companies with high trust levels outperform those that don’t by 186%. (Watson Wyatt, Work USA). While listed as an organizational attribute, trust is a measure of what others see in you based on demonstrated actions, not words. It’s not what you say, but what you do that matters most. In a [study by Trust Edge Leadership Institute](https://trustedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2019-Trust-Outlook.pdf), having trusted leadership was the most important quality job applicants looked for when considering employment opportunities with an organization. A lack of trust in organizational leadership makes recruitment and retention of desired employees challenging, at best. It also makes the pathway for needed changes – a daunting task in and of itself – even more difficult. **Getting Results** Demonstrating integrity through decisions and actions is key to getting results through others. A lack of trust results in skepticism, dissension, and discord. Now, perhaps more than ever before, executives must prioritize people over profit. Challenges, barriers, and operational obstacles must be made transparent, and stakeholders must be provided with an opportunity for involvement and input. Decision-makers must consistently do the right thing, remain steadfast and unwavering on communicated priorities, and stay the course on commitments.  By all indications, the 21st-century marketplace will continue to be ultracompetitive, regardless of industry or business sector. Change and the management of change will no longer be the next reality, but an ongoing operational norm. Navigating the obstacles and making needed transitions requires direction and leadership from trusted decision-makers. Demonstrating integrity in all that you do is a prerequisite to success as a leader and a requisite for buy-in and support from critical stakeholders.  [![Need Longshore Coverage? Click Here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21001141/4124b689-df59-4626-adb4-e97478e404ba.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21001141/4124b689-df59-4626-adb4-e97478e404ba) ### Share: - [![Tell a Friend](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/share-icon.png)](mailto:?&subject=The%20Role%20of%20Executive%20Leadership%20in%20Organizational%20Transformation:%20Demonstrating%20Integrity&body=https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/the-role-of-executive-leadership-in-organizational-transformation-demonstrating-integrity) - ![Post to LinkedIn](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/linkedin-icon.png) - ![Share to Facebook](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/facebook-icon.png) - ![Share on Twitter](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/Twitter-icon.png) ## About the Author The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU) delivers specialized coverage and risk management solutions to waterfront employers across the United States. As an industry leader in U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (USL&H), AEU also provides state act workers’ compensation, Maritime Employers’ Liability (MEL), marine general liability, and automobile liability for waterfront employers. AEU provides services such as claims handling, loss control, and underwriting, as well as longshore consulting and leadership training to help businesses protect their people and manage risk with confidence. ## Related Topics [Leadership](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/leadership), [Change Management](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/tag/change-management) ## More Resources Oct 15, 2024 #### [Respect: The Key To Effective Frontline Leadership | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/respect-the-key-to-effective-frontline-leadership-sos-podcast) Sep 17, 2024 #### [Recognizing and Responding to Bad Habits Impacting Workforce Performance | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/recognizing-and-responding-to-bad-habits-impacting-workforce-performance-sos-podcast) Aug 20, 2024 #### [Providing for Your Employees' Basic Needs | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/providing-for-your-employees-basic-needs-sos-podcast) May 21, 2024 #### [How to Prepare for and Lead a Group Presentation | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/how-to-prepare-for-and-lead-a-group-presentation-sos-podcast) Apr 16, 2024 #### [Defining, Developing, and Demonstrating Social Intelligence | SOS Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/longshore-insider/article/defining-developing-and-demonstrating-social-intelligence-sos-podcast) ## Legal Disclaimer Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language. Subscribe to our newsletter [Get started](https://www.amequity.com/join-our-mailing-list) ALMA Member Resources [Report a Claim](https://www.amequity.com/report-a-claim) [Review Your Claims Online](https://live.origamirisk.com/Origami/Account/Login?account=AEU&returnUrl=/Origami) [MEMBER WEBSITE](https://www.amequity.com/log-in) ![Amequity](https://blog.amequity.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Amequity_Feb2022/images/AEU-logo-white.png?width=129&name=AEU-logo-white.png "Amequity") - [![linkedin-icon](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/linkedin-icon.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-equity-underwriters/) - [![facebook-icon](https://blog.amequity.com/hubfs/facebook-icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEquityUnderwriters/) - [About AEU](https://www.amequity.com/who-we-are) - [Coverage](https://www.amequity.com/coverage) - [Blog & Podcast](https://blog.amequity.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.amequity.com/contact) © 2025 The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.  All rights reserved.  /   [**Terms & Conditions**](https://www.amequity.com/terms-conditions)  /   [**Privacy**](https://www.amequity.com/privacy-policy)