The Five Agreements for Leadership: #1

A week ago I had the pleasure to see and hear someone in person who's writing profoundly changed my life about 10 years ago. Don Miguel Ruiz came to Houston with his two sons, Miguel and Jose. Many years ago while vacationing in the mountains of New Mexico I read "The Four Agreements". It has become a book close to my heart. Last week he presented his book "The Fifth Agreement" and it got me thinking how the agreements could apply to the path of leadership. We'll take one at at time and start at the beginning!

Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Impeccable. Just that word brings to mind something carefully and meticulously put together. No ragged edges, no worn out or careless seams, clean and starched. He's saying we should be that careful, that precise and that conscious of our words. And not just the words that come out of our mouths but those that float around in our minds, our thoughts.

And notice that you are not to use the word against yourself! Maybe we're careful not to abuse ourselves out loud, but are we that careful in our thoughts?

The other word that catches my attention is integrity. I think that is what true leadership is all about. Actions and words in complete harmony. And certainly gossip is not using our word with integrity.

When you are in a position of leadership your words carry extra weight and people are watching how you conduct yourself. Are you impeccable? Do you act with integrity? Do you refrain from gossip? None of those things are easy, but they can be mastered with practice. Perhaps you can think of examples in your life of people who have modeled those traits. My grandmother Amos never spoke badly of anyone. Ever. No one in the family can remember her saying anything hurtful about anyone. What restraint and amazing power she exemplified.

Words can build up or they can tear down. A leader will find a way to build up those around her in every possible situation,  including herself, but not at the expense of others. Be sure you are conscious of the message you want to convey before you put it into words.