Political leaders in underdeveloped countries like Nepal announce many ambitious plans. The plans look like a game changer to the public. Leaders claim that their plans will change the country's condition and achieve development and prosperity in the near future.

But in reality, countries remain as it is for long.

The main reason behind this is lack of integrity in the leadership.

People generally take integrity easy, but it is a challenge.

It is not a synonym for ethics, it is more than that. Integrity is the quality or state of having sound moral principles. Integrity is honesty, completeness and transparency in thought, communication and action.

If there is an opportunity or a problem, a leader must grasp it or solve it. Leadership is the ability to influence the actions and outcomes of others in a way that delivers positive results.

Leaders need power to influence in their own way. We think source of power is positions like those of the prime minster, president, governor or mayor. However, this power is inadequate to bring a good team together. The main source of power is people's trust in their leader.

How does a leader become trustworthy? A leader's personal integrity makes them a trusted leader.

Having integrity means being clear in their values, beliefs and priorities. Those are demonstrated in their action, decision and communication.

Leaders must have constancy and be faithful to their commitments and promises. The truth can be examined by their behaviour, work and what they claim. Constancy is different from rigidity. It means fidelity, being steadfast, and unwavering in one's beliefs, values, commitments and dedication. Rigidity means blind beliefs, personal egos, illogical and non-convincing behaviour.

A leader's constancy is for the morality of both the public and their own.

Like this, leaders must be flexible as per the situation.

But they must not be opportunists.

An opportunist can change or leave his values and commitment for personal benefit. On the other hand, flexibility means devotion towards people's changing needs.

Congruency is another important characteristic of a leader with integrity. Congruence means there is consistency between feeliing and action, between what they claim and accomplish.

Such leaders are governed by their minds, speech and hands.

It is very common for leaders to make commitments.

But commitment requires not only promise but also involvement and action. After a promise is made, they must involve themselves in those activities that are required to meet that promise.

A leader is brave and courageous. Courage is the willingness to face or deal with anything that is dangerous and difficult or painful. A leader of integrity faces and makes a difficult choice even when the outcome could be painful or unpopular. Leaders have courage to do what is right even if it is not convenient.

They do not run after popularity.

Integrity is not a show piece. Living with integrity means being responsible and accountable to the self.

It is not always easy to distinguish between what is wrong and what is right.

The same thing might be right for some people and wrong for others. A leader's course of action should be logical, responsible and legal. Would the result be beneficial for all if everyone made the same decision? If it is, that's great in most cases.

People want their leaders to be honest, ethical and trustworthy. A leader cannot be the best at everything, but they must be competent in the responsibilities of their position.

Every action of the leaders should be predictable according to the situation.

People must believe that their leaders would react in the same way in every situation.

Only personal integrity cannot solve a country's big problems. It needs expertise.

But one big thing is that a leader of integrity can hire all the required expertise.

Professional knowledge and skills are achievable if the leader has personal integrity. If a leader is a well-known expert in all the required fields but lacks integrity, the nation will gain nothing.

Does personal integrity come by birth? No, a person can build it up gradually.

The word integrity has a broad meaning. It is a combination of honesty based on strong moral principles and truthfulness. Moral ethics, personal quality and good behaviour are not set by law. A person can set a personal code of ethics for the self.

How to increase our integrity? Scholars have found many ways. Reliability, responsibility and accountability in speech and work improve integrity. The behaviour of cooperating with others also helps to build integrity. Looking at minor things like punctuality in attendance is great for integrity development.

One has to give priority to mental or physiological heath. Confidence, motivation and patience are key to integrity.

One must respect one's and others' work equally.

They can give a second person respect through good conversation at work.

Showing compassion, kindness and empathy to the needy people contributes to improving personal integrity. Self-esteem, optimism and self-efficacy are needed at every moment.

A new generation has come up to replace the established old-generation leaders in Nepali politics.

The new generation is presenting itself as a big challenge to the old generation.

The old generation always seemed to lack personal integrity.

That's why leadership from the old generation has not provided us with a pleasant experience of development and happiness.

Moving forward, leaders should be aware of their bad practices and begin to improve on their integrity, which may help to regain public trust.

Ghimire works in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office as assistant director

Does personal integrity come by birth? No, a person can build it up gradually.

The word integrity has a broad meaning.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 18, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.