Which do you think is more important in a leader- Intellect or Integrity?

Question

Obviously a leader has to be intelligent, but sometimes some leaders are too 'intelligent' for their own good and it turns into cunning exploitation. Being shrewd is one thing, and being manipulative is another. That's when integrity comes into play. However if the leader is cunning in the sense that he somehow exploits others for the benefit of his own group, is this still wrong? Should a leader's integrity only apply to the people he leads?

(A leader can be a politician or a religious leader. Just leaders in general)

Answer 1

with out integrity there can be no real respect and with out that a leader can not lead

Answer 2

It is important for a leader to have Integrity more then anything. I can forgive a stupid leader if I know they they at least had some Integrity. If they were Intelligent and had no Integrity then that Is when I have a problem with the leader.

Answer 3

Zandre: an interesting question and a well thought out explanation of the issues underlying the question.

I’d choose intelligence. Unfortunately, honesty does not make a person a competent leader.

When it comes to choosing a competent leader, we rely on our own intelligence to determine who has the intelligence to be an effective leader and the integrity not to misuse that intelligence or abuse our trust.

Interestingly, your question might be applied to voters. Is it better for us to vote for the most intelligent and honest candidate, or the candidate who will support our personal agenda?

An argument can be made for doing the latter. However, it seems we feel compelled to take it a step further: we cast the other candidates as unintelligent and dishonest so we can feel better about our motives.

Answer 4

One can't follow Integrity without the presence of Intellect. The charismatic feature or "stable" energy a leader projects is what attracts people, and this is achieved mainly through intelligence; a secure and confident state of mind with an abundance of knowledge. A leader without the presence of intellect but with "integrity" can be violated and betrayed by those with higher intellect. To be a leader, such requires both, of course - but only through intellect can one truly follow.

Answer 5

Integrity. I attended a seminar for future leaders called "LeaderShape" that really stressed the importance of integrity that I would've never thought of on my own. Of course intellect is important, but without integrity there would be unfairness, disorganization, possible discrimination and conflicts among fellow team members. As president of a student organization, I could not go on without integrity and in my opinion intellect comes with integrity.

Answer 6

What i want in a leader is good judgment, which requires both Intellect or Integrity but too much of either tends to produce arrogance. I would not like to live in a world run by either rocket scientists or saints,

Answer 7

You are talking to the wrong country since our leader does not have either intellect nor integrity. I, however, believe that a leader should be honest to the people.

A leader should take responsibility and accept the consequences for his/her actions and not hide behind technicalities (executive privilege anyone, and yes I know Clinton used it.)

Answer 8

My Squad leader in Iraq was an adulterer, a heavy drinker and a porn addict. But he led us with aplomb and got us through some intense situations because of his IQ and dedication to his job. Likewise, some people who have little moral character have been good leaders. FDR (adulterer), TR (narcissist), MacArthur (supreme narcissit), Eisenhower (adulterer), Churchill (drunk), & U.S. Grant (drunk). But through their IQ, training and dedication to their job, the people I mentioned above were superb leaders who brought this country through some terrible times stronger than we were before they arrived on the scene. Intellect, IQ, education, but the one you didn't mention, dedication to one's job are far more important than a person's moral failings. Do you know how many firemen and cops cheat on their wives and have drinking problems, but they put it on the line every day for the greater good. Expecting someone to be a saint when they take a position of leadership is absolutely unrealistic. Hope I've given you something to think about and that you'll stop generalizing people as "godless, immoral, hippie liberals" and "upstanding, moral conservatives". That's just weak.

Answer 9

a leader must have both. that is part of what is so wrong in the world today. integrity is a convenience and not an essential and fundamental element. i defy any leader to choose one or the other.

Answer 10

Well, attempt to list the last three great Presidents who had intellect, but no integrity.
Conversely, try to name the last three great Presidents without intellect, but who had integrity.
I think you will find that while it is easy to find a great president with intellect and debatable "integrity" (Clinton, Kennedy, etc.), you may find it hard to list a truly great President who was dumb, but honorable (Reagan may be a tempting choice, however, a man who alienates all his children can't be considered truly full of integrity).