The meaning of leader integrity: A comparative study across Anglo, Asian, and Germanic cultures

The current study explores and compares the meaning of leader integrity in six societies representing three culture clusters, including Ireland and the U.S. (Anglo cluster), Germany and Austria (Germanic Europe cluster), as well as China (PRC) and Hong Kong (Confucian Asia cluster). Responses were obtained from 189 managers using an on-line, open-response questionnaire and analyzed through a data-driven thematic analysis of the manifest and latent content of the responses. Looking within cultures, findings provide initial evidence of the culture-specific attributes and behaviors that leaders with integrity are expected to possess and convey toward others. Looking across cultures, comparative analysis revealed nine common themes that were endorsed in all or a majority of the societies: these include Guided by Strong Personal Moral Code/Values, Value–Behavior Consistency, Word–Action Consistency, Honest, Fair and Just, Openness and Transparency, Consideration and Respect for Others, Sense of Responsibility for/toward Others, and Abiding by Rules and Regulations. Implications of the findings are discussed.