Why Integrity Comes First

In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. – Warren Buffett

At Klizer , we often use this quote during our Ethics training sessions.

Not as a slogan. But as a leadership filter.

Because ethics and integrity are not values you revisit only when something breaks. They are values you hire for, protect, and make tough decisions around.

A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way

Earlier in my career, I worked with people who were extremely smart and full of energy.

On paper, they looked perfect. In reality, something felt off.

When integrity is missing, the impact doesn’t show up all at once. It appears quietly – small misalignments, half-truths, avoidable conflicts.

Over time, the damage becomes obvious.

It doesn’t just slow execution. It breaks trust. And more importantly, it drains the energy of the entire team.

One person without integrity can create more friction than several average performers combined.

The Tough Truth About Leadership Decisions

Sometimes, we naturally want to give people time. We want to believe things will improve.

But here’s a distinction I’ve learned to make very clearly: We can compromise on skills. We can invest time in learning. But we cannot compromise on integrity.

If a person has integrity:

• We can coach them
• We can upskill them
• We can give them time to grow

Skills can be learned. Mindsets can evolve. Experience can be gained.

But when integrity is missing, no amount of intelligence or energy can compensate for it.

Why Delaying Tough Calls Hurts More

When leaders hesitate to act on integrity issues, the cost isn’t just performance-related.

Good people notice. They feel it. And slowly, their motivation drops.

I’ve learned this the hard way: Keeping the wrong person hurts the right people.

Protecting trust, fairness, and team energy is not harsh leadership. It is responsible leadership.