“The Flying Dutchman” is his nickname. But also “The Lion from Lemmer”. I’m talking about the friendly horizontal bar specialist, Epke Zonderland. He won gold on the horizontal bar in 2012 during the Olympic Games.
You probably also remember the then commentary of the passionate gymnastics commentator Hans van Zetten. Goosebumps!
Epke has won much more in his sports career and was also named Dutch Sportsman of the Year four times. His perseverance is great and it is incredible how he deals with (a lot of) adversity in his sporting career.
Where others would have given up long ago, Epke continues.
What touched me last week was that he received a very special award. And this time it was not for his gymnastic performances.
He received the German Flatow Award for his behavior, specifically for:
- integrity,
- exemplary behavior, and
- comradeship.
Flatow
The award is named after the two successful German gymnast brothers Flatow. They won gold and silver at the Games. They were of Jewish descent and were expelled from the gymnastics association in 1933. Eventually, they died in a concentration camp.
Germany established the award in the eighties and it is awarded from time to time. And Epke is worthy of the honor: he has a high EQ (emotional intelligence), is self-aware, empathetic, socially skilled, and extremely modest.
For many, he is an example of desirable behavior.
In sports, but also in business, these qualities are part of leadership. It is the combination of performance and behavior. For yourself and towards your employees.
What is integrity?
Integrity is the personal trait, a character trait, of an individual that entails that the person involved is honest and sincere.
The most beautiful definition of integrity I find is: doing the right thing while nobody is watching. Integrity is part of trust, something many organizations crave.
Integrity contributes to creating a safe working environment for your employees.
Integrity Checklist
Below you will find a checklist to assess integrity in your organization:
- Do you do what is right, even when no one is watching?
- Are you an example to your surroundings and are you aware of it?
- Do you see integrity awareness as an important value?
- Do you inspire your employees to behave with integrity?
- Do you protect your people from integrity hazards and act when necessary?
- Do you fulfill what you have promised?
- And do you act accordingly?
Do you also want to know how to strengthen integrity and trust in your organization?
Then read my book “My Best Team Ever! In 7 Steps to Golden Leadership“.
