The Power of Integrity in Leadership
Thank you for reading my latest article The Power of Integrity in Leadership.
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When I was 16, fresh out of school, I became an engineering apprentice. The first day on the job, I was assigned to operate a deep hole drill — a machine that seemed larger than life to a teenager just starting out. I made a mistake: I bent the drill bar, bringing the entire production line to a halt. Without hesitation, I admitted my fault. To me, it wasn’t even a question. I had made a mistake, and I owned it.
A few months later, I broke a cutter worth £100. Our boss berated me in front of the whole team. That experience stuck with me — not because of the mistake, but because of how it was handled. I promised myself that if I ever became a leader, I wouldn’t react like that. I wouldn’t tear someone down for an honest mistake.
What did I learn? Two things:
1. Mistakes are inevitable, but owning them is a choice.
2. The way we react to others’ mistakes shapes the environment we create as leaders.
As a young apprentice, I didn’t realize that these experiences were forming the foundation of one of my core values — integrity. I didn’t know it at the time, but these lessons would become the backbone of my future career.
Now, years later, I realize how much integrity guides my decisions, both personally and professionally. The values you live by shape the choices you make. I’ve reached a point where I say “no” to more things than I say “yes” to. If something doesn’t align with my mission or my values, it’s a clear “no.” And that clarity has made all the difference.
The Key Takeaway
Whether you’re just starting out or well into your career, don’t underestimate the value of integrity. Mistakes will happen — it’s how you respond to them that matters. And as you move forward, knowing your core values will help you make decisions that not only keep you on track but also allow you to lead with confidence and authenticity.
What values guide your decisions? What stories from your past shaped them?
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About Adam Morton
Adam Morton is an experienced data leader and author in the field of data and analytics with a passion for delivering tangible business value. Over the past two decades Adam has accumulated a wealth of valuable, real-world experiences designing and implementing enterprise-wide data strategies, advanced data and analytics solutions as well as building high-performing data teams across the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Adam’s continued commitment to the data and analytics community has seen him formally recognised as an international leader in his field when he was awarded a Global Talent Visa by the Australian Government in 2019.
Today, Adam is dedicated to helping his clients to overcome challenges with data while extracting the most value from their data and analytics implementations. You can find out more information by visiting his website here.
He has also developed a signature training program that includes an intensive online curriculum, weekly live consulting Q&A calls with Adam, and an exclusive mastermind of supportive data and analytics professionals helping you to become an expert in Snowflake. If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the latest Mastering Snowflake details.
