Behavioral Integrity –Perceived Word-Action Alignment -- as a Driver of the Power of Words

Abstract

Behavioral integrity is the perception that another party lives by his or her word – keeps promises and enacts espoused values, or aligns words and actions (Simons, 2002). This perception, applied to leaders, has substantial impact on leader credibility and thus on the power of their words to effect change or drive performance (Simons, 2008; Simons Tomlinson & Leroy, 2011). This symposium assembles a set of papers at the forefront of behavioral integrity research that examine different aspects of the impact of behavioral integrity. Using laboratory and field methods, these papers focus on the impact of perceived word-action alignment, actual word-action alignment, and the relationship between the two. A Behavioral Integrity Lens On Climate Research Presenter: Lisa Hisae Nishii; Cornell U. Presenter: Hannes Leroy; Cornell U. Presenter: Tony L Simons; Cornell U. What Happens To Employee Behavior When Ethical Leaders Do Not Practice What They Preach? Presenter: James B. Avey; Central Washington U. Presenter: David Mayer; U. of Michigan Presenter: Tony L Simons; Cornell U. Presenter: Michael Palanski; Rochester Institute of Technology