Integrity is central to leadership. It means being honest with those we lead, serve, and support. It means making commitments that are sincere and being willing to do the very things we ask others to do. Without integrity, leadership quickly becomes hollow.
That’s why I’ve been surprised at how much a conversation about punctuation has unsettled me. On the surface, it seems trivial. But the deeper I’ve thought about it, the more I see it as a test of integrity.
The Dash Debate
I’ve always liked using dashes — I have for years. They give rhythm to my writing. They mark a pause, create emphasis, and let me capture the way my thoughts actually unfold.
But recently, the humble dash has come under scrutiny. Nitsuh Abebe at the New York Times wrote about what he called the “ChatGPT hyphen,” pointing out how AI writing tools overuse dashes in ways that make their fingerprints easy to spot. For me, his article was a relief. Finally, someone named the tension I’d been feeling.
Why? Because I’ve had people reach out to me directly, calling out the way I use dashes in my articles. The implication was that my writing sounded “too AI,” and therefore, less authentic.
I’ll be honest: that stung.
Authenticity vs. Adaptability
My first reaction was to adapt. I started using more commas and fewer dashes. But the more I did it, the more it felt disingenuous. It was like I was sanding off a part of my voice just to avoid criticism.
That’s where the leadership lesson comes in. Leaders are always balancing authenticity with adaptability.
- Authenticity means speaking with our own voice, even if it’s quirky.
- Adaptability means recognizing how our message is received and adjusting for clarity.
Both are important. Both require integrity.
So I’ve asked myself: if I change my writing style simply to avoid criticism, am I really being authentic? On the other hand, if I cling too tightly to my habits, am I ignoring how others experience my words?
This tension isn’t about punctuation. It’s about leadership.
Small Things, Big Signals
Maybe I’m too OCD about this. Years ago, I agonized over whether to keep the dash in “e-mail.” Dropping it felt like a big deal. Eventually, I made the change.
This feels similar. On the surface, it’s a small thing. But small things send signals. The way we write, the way we communicate, even the punctuation we use — they all tell people something about us.
So what do I want my writing to say? That it’s polished by a tool, or that it reflects my voice? That I follow trends, or that I speak sincerely?
Where I’ve Landed
Here’s where I’ve landed, at least for now: I’ll keep using dashes, because they are part of my voice. But I’ll also keep paying attention to clarity, because leadership isn’t about punctuation. It’s about people.
If my integrity matters in big things, it also matters in the small things. And sometimes, the way we wrestle with the small things — even a dash — reveals how seriously we take the big ones.
