Sahith Theegala recently showed true leadership at the PGA Tour Championship. He self-reported a possible rule infraction. Despite the cameras finding no conclusive evidence, his honesty cost him $2.5 million due to a two-stroke penalty that knocked him from second to third place.

THE REWARD FOR INTEGRITY 

Had he ignored his intuition and the infraction was identified post-round, he would have been disqualified, losing all chances of winning. Though he lost $2.5 million, he still competed for and won $7.5 million for third place.

AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION 

As leaders, if we ignore or procrastinate on difficult issues, the consequences usually build and become far greater over time. Have you ever experienced that in your leadership journey?

THE INTEGRITY CHALLENGE 

There’s a well-known proverb that says, “The integrity of the upright guides them.” What percentage of your leaders do you believe would make the honest decision on the spot, even if it implicates them in a mistake?

Patrick Lencioni reminds us that “team members who are not genuinely open with one another about their mistakes and weaknesses make it impossible to build a foundation for trust.”

HOW TO INSTILL INTEGRITY AND TRUST IN YOUR TEAM 

So how can we, as executive leaders, instill this level of integrity and trust in our teams? One way is by leading by example. Be transparent about your own tough decisions, and create a culture where honesty is valued over short-term gains.

Encourage open dialogue and remind your team that integrity isn’t just about avoiding the wrong—it’s about choosing the right, even when it’s hard. Reassuring them that they won’t be penalized for making honest, tough decisions will foster higher levels of integrity and trust.

WHAT’S ONE DECISION YOU HAD TO MAKE THAT TESTED YOUR INTEGRITY?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or send me a direct message.

Watch the moment here.

For more about Sahith Theegala, check out his Instagram profile.