The idea that leaders should follow a set of sound principles and support policies that reflect their own values is a widely held standard, and for good reason. But there is a downside to integrity. In our research, we have found that when leaders behave with high integrity, their followers may compromise their own. They create a façade of conformity, suppressing their own values and views and pretending to share the organization’s values in order to survive and succeed at work.
If Your Boss Has a Lot of Integrity, You May Be More Likely to Compromise Yours
Another reason why team conformity is dangerous.
April 11, 2017
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Avoid integrity traps in the workplace.
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New!
HBR Learning
Ethics at Work Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Ethics at Work. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Avoid integrity traps in the workplace.