What’s the biggest shortcoming a leader can have? My vote is compromised integrity. If an executive wants to enjoy continuing credibility in his or her position, he needs to pursue the truth and confront the truth in everything he does. Dishonesty, misrepresentation, and cherry picking the facts to make an argument are all unacceptable conduct. Too often, leaders stretch or alter the truth to achieve a bigger goal. At the end of the day, perhaps every day, they are Machiavellian.

I was extremely disappointed that Mark Hurd, one of the most highly-regarded CEOs in industry, had to step aside for lapses in behavioral conduct and judgment. His departure was a shock to investors, costing HP $10 billion in market cap on Friday afternoon. Few analysts questioned Hurd’s extraordinary performance. Continue reading…