Karl Bimshas Consulting

MANAGE BETTER LEAD WELL

  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Karl Bimshas
      • Leadership Point of View
      • Bio
    • INFO AND INVITATION
    • FAQs
    • Why Value-Based Fixed Fees
    • Statement of Privacy
  • Leadership Coaching
    • Leadership Development
    • Kick-Ass Boss
    • Do I Need an Accountability Partner?
    • Do My Employees Need Coaching?
    • How Do You Measure Leadership Success?
    • Leadership Goal-Setting
    • Leadership Scorecard
    • Leadership Assessments
      • Core Competencies Index
      • DISC
      • DISC Lite
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Sales Management
  • Blog
  • Podcast
    • Past Episodes
      • Leadership In Unusual Times
        • Podcast Questions
  • Books
    • Bimshas Books
    • Welcome to Leadership
    • Give A Damn
    • Disposable Journal
    • Pushing Back the Ocean
    • The Manage Better Lead Well Series
  • Testimonials
    • Interviews
  • Contact
    • Friends Don’t Let Friends Become Lousy Leaders
    • Payment Page
  • Sign up!
    • Newsletter
    • Update Your Information
    • Links
      • More Links
    • Compass
    • Invitation
    • Your 90-Day Review
    • Explain That Behavior
    • Monthly Survey
      • Leadership Health Check
      • Essential Leadership Skills Survey
      • How’s Your Leadership Development?
    • Monthly Offer
  • Resources
    • The Solution Exchange
    • Setting Goals and Vision Mini-Course
    • 132 Leadership Tips
    • Lead On Purpose Course
    • Leadership Development Prompts Calendar
    • Leadership Workbooks
      • Perspectives
      • Lead on Purpose
      • Sales Management Monthly Briefing
      • Mind Map Workbook
    • Leadership Development Box
    • Free Account Management Assessment
    • Women on the Rise
    • Writing Services
  • Lyderis
    • Leadership Library
    • Invitation to The Leadership Library

The Practice of Sincerity

August 14, 2013 Karl Bimshas Leave a Comment

 

Sincerity“Practice what you preach and act with integrity,” are phrases that people throw about frequently, along with words like genuine, credible, authentic and sincere.

During the Roman Empire, less reputable potters and sculptors would fill cracks or imperfections in their work with wax, then glaze it over before selling them at market. When I first heard this, I imagined these beautiful pieces eventually weeping during the heat of the day, the wax melting under the spotlight of the sun. When a piece of work was flawless, or the craftsman one of high integrity, a seal was placed on it that read, “sine cere”, a Latin term meaning, “without wax.” These were obviously the most desirable pieces and held up under the toughest of scrutiny.

For all their proclamations, how often do people today live with sincerity — without wax? It’s easy to impugn public officials; sadly many have not performed well under the spotlight. However, I recognize there have been times I too have been lax.

Once, to improve efficiency with my team at work, I insisted certain process steps be followed. Yet in my expediency, I myself failed to follow those steps. At home, I have lamented the children to sit up straight, only to later find myself slouching on the couch, mouth agape, staring into the television. How often have others told their kids to clean their rooms only to find stacks of papers, post-its and books strewn about their own office? And how many have shouted, “Stop yelling, it’s not polite.”

Do as I say, not as I do. That’s practicing hypocrisy, not integrity, to which others could easily reply, “I can’t hear what you’re saying, your actions speak so loudly.”

Some seem to live by what Jack Canfield called the 18/40/60 Rule. At eighteen, you think everyone is looking at you. At forty, you don’t care who is looking at you. At sixty, you realize, no one was looking at you. There may be truth to that, but when you’re a leader, people are looking at you. They are looking at your imperfections, your weaknesses and your ability to handle obstacles.

If you know your mission and your core values and if you live on purpose and if, as Ken Blanchard says, “You are committed to your commitments,” then you are acting with authenticity. There may be flaws or cracks — resist the urge to fill them with wax. Instead, think like Michelangelo, rather than hiding any blemishes, keep them exposed and work them into the final piece of art, your life and you will have lived with integrity.

If you liked this, share it!
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • email
  • Print

Purpose Leadership, Mission, Sincerity, Values

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Search Here

Visit Leadershirts Plus

Key Links

  • Do I Need an Accountability Partner?
  • Do My Employees Need Coaching?
  • Leadership Point of View
  • Kick-Ass Boss
  • Bimshas Books
  • Blog
  • DISC
  • Resources
  • Why Value-Based Fixed Fees
  • User’s Guide
Reflections on Leadership Podcast

RSS The Podcast

  • 350. Overcome Executive Inactivity
  • 349. Manage Your Vision With Goals
  • 348. Be Smart About SMART Goals
  • 347. 5 Leadership Lessons from “It’s a Wonderful Life”
  • 346. Reduce the Allure of Autocratic Leaders
  • 345. How To Improve Your Emotional Intelligence
  • 344. How Do You Know if Your Leadership Is Any Good?

Latest Books on Amazon

Popular Products

  • Disposable Journal
  • Give A Damn
  • Perspectives
  • Leadership Scorecard

Recent Posts

  • 246
  • Shades of Progress
  • Check your vision … and your mission, and values
  • A Little Collectivism From Time to Time Wouldn’t Hurt
  • Begin Again

© 2023 Karl Bimshas Consulting

Contact

Karl Bimshas Consulting
2525 Camino del Rio South, Suite 270
San Diego, CA 92108
858-583-2602
info@KarlBimshasConsulting.com

Where to Start

  • 1. Browse the Resources Page
  • 2. Assess Your Leadership Attributes
  • 3. Do You Need an Accountability Partner?
  • 4. Act on Purpose – Leadership Goal-Setting

Copyright © 2023 · Equilibre on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in