Which of the following is considered a crucial quality in leadership?

Integrity is a crucial quality in leadership because it establishes trust between leaders and their followers. When leaders demonstrate integrity, they exhibit honesty, transparency, and a strong moral compass. This fosters an environment where team members feel secure in their leader's decisions and motivated to align with the organization's values.

Integrity encourages open communication and accountability, which are vital for effective teamwork and collaboration. Followers are more likely to respect and commit to a leader who consistently acts with integrity, leading to enhanced loyalty and morale within the team. Ultimately, a leader who prioritizes integrity sets a positive example, influencing the behavior and attitudes of others in the organization, which can drive success and innovation.

In contrast, authority, mediocrity, and popularity do not necessarily correlate with effective leadership. Authority may command respect but does not ensure trust; mediocrity undermines the potential for excellence; and popularity can be fleeting and based on superficial qualities rather than the substance of one's character.