O'Toole describes integrity as a wholeness or completeness that is achieved by people who are said to have healthy self confidence and self esteem. People with integrity know who they are, which allows them to esteem and respect others. One of the key statements in the book is that you don't have to become someone else or become like someone else to be a leader, you have to just become yourself. That is the core of integrity. As for the Realists, their basic philosophy is that you have to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Realists get followers to do what the leader has outlined.
O'Toole describes different realist leaders, including those who are usually touted in news and management magazines as leaders. O'Toole cites, for example, Jack Welch, whose tenure as CEO of General Electric resulted in unmatched financial performance among U.S. corporations. They eschew working in groups and employee participation. If the job is going to get done, they need to take charge and get people to follow orders. O'Toole says these leaders are generally more successful in short-term situations, but over the long term they don't get the very best out of followers.