Leadership, authenticity and integrity

November 09, 2006

Leadership, authenticity and integrity

Earlier this fall, I read a book called "Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War" by Nathaniel Philbrick. I urge you to read it, or at least the long book review you'll find on Amazon.com. It will turn your head around in terms of the Thanksgiving story and our whole American mythology of Pilgrims, Puritans, King Phillip's War, and New England!

Things, as the old saying goes, are never what you think they are. But, I encourage you to read it from a certain point of view: to glean what you can about leadership, authenticity and integrity. Embedded in this well-written history are lessons that we might learn to apply here and now.

The Pilgrims were concerned about authenticity, meaning alignment, coherence, and adherence. They had worked out their belief set well before sailing to North America and they made sure all the individuals in their group stayed in strict alignment with them. Integrity, however, was a different matter—as it was demonstrated in bargaining for the ship, the choice of who would or would not go, and behavior upon landing. Character varied among individuals in the group. It also slipped when the circumstances changed.

We have, in effect, set sail in this new college. We are encountering a variety of environmental variables we didn't anticipate. As we move our craft forward into the future, a future we are literally making by our own choices and decisions, it is important that we be mindful to exercise authenticity and integrity at all levels—personal, curricular, and institutional.

We will face many challenges. We will be called upon to adapt as the world around us changes almost as often and dramatically as Iowa weather. We need to hold true to the values and dreams at our core while remembering why we are here: to expand the potential of individuals, families, schools, and communities as well as to improve the quality of people’s lives. We believe deeply in the unity and hope of humankind. Let us not slip in our myth-making adventure. Let us not lose our zeal or passion when we are challenged. Rather, let us rise to the occasion and do good. We should expect that of ourselves and of each other. Let us then embrace the possibilities that change and challenge present.

Have a wonderful family holiday. I wish you always the best!

Cheryl