I’ve seen it, in the military and the boardroom. Leaders whose values drift as outside pressure builds – one shortcut here, a quiet compromise there. It doesn’t look like much at first, but one day, they find themselves far from the beliefs and integrity they once lived by. The damage isn’t instant. But over time, it corrodes judgment, erodes reputation and affects the culture you’re meant to protect.
Anil Kanti (Neil) Basu, former Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations and UK Counter Terrorism (Podcasts 326 and 390), saw this first hand.
In his book, ‘Turmoil’, he describes surviving a ‘FIFO: Fit In or F** Off’ culture as a man of colour in the Metropolitan Police. Early on, he tried to blend in, ignoring toxic behaviour just to get through. But as he rose through the ranks, he found his voice – and his True North.
He led the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and responded to the George Floyd Murder. Each time, he stood for integrity and values, even when it meant standing alone. Anil Kanti told me, “Without your True North, you disintegrate.”
He’s right. If you aren’t clear about what you stand for, you’ll fall for anything. Others sense this uncertainty, and trust can vanish quickly. Values aren’t just personal – they’re contagious. A leader’s consistent integrity, or lack of it, sets the tone for the entire organisation.
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