A follow-on from “Leadership Under Pressure” – part of the Leadership Lessons series
What does authority feel like when it’s real? And where does integrity really come from — not in theory, but in practice?
This is the next piece in the “Leadership Lessons” series — drawn from experiences on the field, in organisations, and in those high-stakes moments where clarity matters most.
The Kind of Authority People Feel
Titles and roles might give someone authority — but that’s not what earns trust.
Real authority shows up in how someone carries themselves when things are stretched. It’s there in how they respond when tension’s high, how they make calls that others can stand behind, and whether they stay present when it’s uncomfortable.
When that kind of authority is there, people feel it — and they stay with it. When it’s not, people start to hold back or stop speaking altogether.
Integrity Isn’t About Being Good — It’s About Being Aligned
Integrity is often misunderstood as moral perfection. But in real life, it’s something simpler and more meaningful — alignment.
It’s the connection between what someone says, what they do, and what they stand for — especially when the pressure’s on.
You can see it in three main ways:
- Integrity as Alignment
When someone’s words and actions don’t line up, people notice. Fast.
If a leader talks about psychological safety but shuts down challenge — that gap is felt. And it’s in those gaps that trust gets shaky.
Integrity here is about reducing that gap — so what’s said and what’s done actually match.
- Integrity as Presence
No one gets everything perfect. Integrity isn’t about flawless leadership — it’s about staying real when things are tough.
Sometimes that means naming what’s awkward. Sometimes it’s staying quiet instead of reacting. Sometimes it’s holding the line without shutting people out.
- Integrity as Trust People Can Feel
People don’t need constant reassurance. They need to know you mean it.
When leaders stay consistent — even in uncertain moments — it creates something solid. You don’t have to agree with every decision to feel that it came from somewhere steady.
That’s what allows teams to keep showing up.
When the Decision Isn’t Simple
There are moments in leadership where no option feels straightforward. Where whatever choice you make, someone might be disappointed or confused.
In those times, what matters isn’t finding the perfect call — it’s how that call is held. If people can feel that it’s been made with thought and care, they’re more likely to stay with you — even if they’d have chosen differently.
When Authority Gets Wobbly
It doesn’t always show up with drama. Sometimes it’s just a change in tone.
- Less pushback.
- More cautious agreement.
- Ideas getting edited before they’re spoken.
That doesn’t mean everything’s fine. It usually means people aren’t sure if speaking up is worth it. And over time, that silence has a cost.
What Builds Respect
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to be steady, real, and consistent.
People respect the kind of authority that isn’t about being in charge — but about showing up in a way that others can rely on. Especially when things are uncertain.
Final Thought
Authority without integrity starts to feel like control.
Integrity without authority can go unseen.
But when both are present — it’s leadership people can stay with.
So in the next tricky moment — and they come often — it might help to ask:
Does this line up with what we’ve said matters?
Am I reacting, or am I showing up?
Will people feel something steady in this — even if it’s not simple?
That’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being clear, consistent, and human.
