Definition of integrity:
Strict adherence to a standard of value or conduct; personal honesty and independence; completeness; unity.
Say It
As you speak the following phrases, believe and embrace them. Visualize yourself having what you state—possess it. Notice how your voice and body respond to each “I” statement:
I acknowledge integrity as one of the core values for my life.
I possess integrity in all that I do.
I am credible. I always keep my word.
I am a person of integrity.
I am respectful of others. I always conduct myself in a respectful manner.
Believe It
Integrity will take you further than any other value you possess. People may forget many of the things you do in your life, but they’ll remember if you lived your life with integrity. They’ll certainly remember if you don’t—we’ve all seen the headlines of disgraced politicians, who, when running for office, made an implicit pledge to be honest and truthful. Yet when the truth about their underhanded dealings is revealed, they lose face, lose elections, and often lose their freedom by going to prison.
Sometimes your desire to do something else after you’ve made a commitment tempts you to compromise your integrity. I was faced with such a situation when I made plans to attend my 20th high school reunion. I was all set to go, and then the committee changed the date at the last minute. Unfortunately, I had a business engagement on the new date, and my customer expected me to honor my commitment. I went back and forth between my choices—I wanted to attend the reunion, but if I’d gone, I wouldn’t have fully enjoyed it because I would have known I’d let a client down.
I followed through with my promise to the client, but I missed the reunion I’d really wanted to attend. At first, my only consolation was the hopeful thought that my classmates would hold future reunions, but the lasting consolation came from knowing that I’d fulfilled a pledge to a client, and that promise came before my own pleasure. So I did the right thing. My desire to maintain a high standard of personal integrity for myself and in the eyes of others is what kept me grounded in my commitment.
Receive It
Integrity is the platform from which you should build all your relationships—with friends, relatives, clients, spouses, children, colleagues, and even animals. Never compromise by cheating and doing wrong, because in the end, it will destroy you. Integrity has to be what fuels your life. If you’re good only because you’re paid to be good, when the money runs out, so will your integrity.
Are you more concerned with receiving a paycheck than doing your job with excellence? Do you fulfill your commitments to yourself and others? When faced with the temptation to do wrong, do you choose the right path? Integrity is a part of good character—if people can’t count on you to do what you say you’ll do, you won’t be taken seriously.
Identify one person you know who has maintained integrity during times when it would have been easier for them to make a different choice. What can you do to emulate that behavior? What steps can you take in your personal life to build your integrity? Before you can improve integrity where other people are concerned, you must build it in yourself. So set a standard for yourself in every area, from finances to relationships, and stick to it. You’ll feel better about yourself and build your character when you commit to live a life of integrity.
Quotes
“Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.”
— Mark Twain
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.”
— Samuel Johnson