Honesty is essential

D.M. Woodruff of Management Methods, Inc. Decatur, Alabama USA wrote in his Management Guidelines article titled Become a low cost, high-quality producer that there are 10 essentials for being a low cost, high quality producer. The first essential, "Establish a credible and effective leadership" attracted my attention.

Out of 500 managers surveyed, it was learned that the number one characteristic of an effective supervisor and manager was honesty. The firm in which Woodruff works was surprising because they thought honesty was inferred, but apparently, not in many organizations. This may mean many organizations do not blatantly "tell it like it is".

If an employee perceives that a manager does not tell them the truth about something, there is a problem. So, credibility in leadership is the first essential. Woodruff then wrote that to evaluate our organization on an effective and credible leadership, we must consider the following five points:

1. We have credible leaders at all levels.

2. People in leadership positions are competent.

3. Leaders at all levels demonstrate concern for the people.

4. Basic work expectations have been defined and communicated for everyone in the organization.

5. Our leaders set the proper examples in all areas.

These statements are indeed interesting to consider, because I think they are valid for our country. One should be honest whether or not one has complied with these five principles.

W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java