July 12th, 2026 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes)
Integrity is often tested through relationships.
Most conflicts of interest start with good people trying to decide between loyalty to a person or organization and the integrity required to lead effectively – e.g. between loyalty and leadership.
Maybe you’re trying to help a friend or a family member; a current or former teammate, someone you genuinely have reason to trust.
When I was Commanding Officer of the USS Sacramento – a supply ship with a crew of 600 – I was faced with applying military discipline to a person in my wardroom whom I had grown close to. They had committed an offense serious enough to require dismissal from the Navy. I had never crossed the bounds of fraternization, but there was a bond there. And now I was faced with loyalty to them or doing what I knew had to be done.
I turned the potential decisions over and over and over in my head. In the end, it came down to my integrity as the Commanding Officer. I had to do right by the Navy. Even knowing this person was just a couple years shy of their 20-year retirement, I really had no other choice.
Captain’s Mast was painful. I had tears running down my face as I read the sentence for administrative discharge from the Navy to my friend.
Conflicts of interest rarely begin with anything identifiable as clearly right or wrong, because there is always more than one lens to look through. Loyalty versus leadership is always hard. Loyalty can cloud your judgment. Integrity is the rock you stand on.
What Leaders Do Differently
Strong leaders don’t just avoid conflicts of interest. They avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. They disclose relationships. They proactively invite oversight. They remove themselves when necessary. They understand that trust is the most valuable asset a leader possesses. And trust is built on the leader’s adherence to integrity.
Once people begin to question your motives, your ability to lead without caveat gets harder. Every decision gets scrutinized. Every action gets interpreted through suspicion. Trust takes years to build and only moments to lose.
The Mistake Leaders Make
Leaders will err when they tell themselves they can remain completely objective, yet have exceptions. The issue is not whether they can or cannot; the issue is perception. Leadership is built on credibility. As an effective leader of a high-performing team, you must champion the organization’s standards, set the example personally, and constantly demonstrate to the team that your standards are iron-clad, based on integrity. Then, you model that behavior every day.
I am going to tell you a secret: leading with integrity is harder than it sounds. You will be tempted. After all, you’re human. Maybe you have strong emotional intelligence (EQ) and your leadership style is based on empathy. Simply caring too much can get you in trouble in terms of this conflict. Beware! That’s why transparency matters. If you are above board with your intentions, if you invite discord, alternate points of view and frank “forceful backup” from those you trust, you will be able to navigate these treacherous waters.
Leadership Reality
Every leader will eventually face a situation where loyalty and integrity seem to pull in different directions. When that happens, choose integrity. Every time.
Your relationships may feel important in the moment. Your reputation will matter for the rest of your career.
Lead to Win Principle
“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” — Warren Buffett
The Question
Where in your leadership responsibilities might greater transparency strengthen trust?
Next Week: Great leaders think beyond today’s results. Learn how to balance short-term demands with long-term success.
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Let’s lead to win together,
Mike Manazir
Retired Navy Rear Admiral | Bestselling Author | Keynote Speaker | Executive Coach