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A recent video clip drew international attention, and it was not about world events that, in reality, were of greater significance.

It involved two people at a concert.

Why was this such a significant news item?

It was because these were two business leaders, and their actions were out of sync with the values that people expect from corporate leaders. And their reaction when caught on video only served to call more attention to the disparity.

This illustrates the point that, like it or not, leaders are expected to hold to higher standards. In fact, it is what the whole world is seeking these days – leaders who will hold themselves to higher standards.

How can you be a leader who lives by high standards?

Be true to your values.

Take the time to reflect on your personal values and on the values of your organization. Write them down. Review them regularly. Recalibrate to them often.

Be true to your word.

If you make a promise, keep it. If you make a commitment, follow through.

Be true in your actions.

As we all know, actions speak louder than words. You may have solid values, both personally and professionally. And you may communicate well.

But if your actions are incongruent with your values and your words, rest assured, you will be called out by those you serve. In this sense, a leader is held accountable for their actions. And that is as it should be.

While you may not always have the camera of the world upon you, behaving as if you did may keep you out of international headlines.

Be true to your relationships.

And the first relationship is the one you have with yourself. Are you a leader of integrity? Do you value yourself enough to hold yourself to higher standards?

This matters because you set the standard for others.

As you develop relationships, always do so with integrity in mind. Be aware of your surroundings and circumstances and how they may be perceived.

And last, but certainly not least, remain true to your family commitments. Don’t be a leader who climbs the proverbial corporate ladder but leaves your spouse and children behind. Invest heavily in your closest relationships.

Be true to your role.

Being a leader of character serving in a designated role means you will stay true to that role. If your role is to lead through challenges, have the character to stay the course. If your role is to set the policies and protocols for employees, set the example by following those rules yourself.

Why does this matter?

Being a leader who is true matters a great deal. It matters to you, to your people, to your community, and, sometimes, to the world.

A leader who is true to their values, true to their word, true in their actions, true to their relationships, and true to their role is a leader who is trusted. That trust generates respect and leads to greater impact and success.

If you truly want to make a difference, be true to higher standards.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!