Everyday we face many situations where our moral conscious is tested. Would you betray your friend’s trust if both of you get into trouble? Do you break promises? Would you go back to a store and return the extra change the cashier gave you by mistake? While making a deal, do you make sure everything is on the table and nothing is left out? Are you honest with your client with the deal? Do you pay all your taxes, and not cheat the government? Are you true to your partner, are you having an honest relationship with your loved ones? It isn’t always about what you do, it is about how you do it.
What does Integrity mean? Integrity is the quality of being honest with your work and yourselves. Integrity is ethics and sincerity. Integrity is sticking to your moral values even when you have difficult situations. Integrity is doing the right thing, knowing you may have to face serious consequences of your decision later on. Integrity is not compromising your righteousness, maintaining the consistency of your character. Integrity is something hypocrites cannot relate with.
The concept is simple, yet powerful- stay true. You can’t spend your time questioning your own actions. There is always an urge to take the short road, to act dishonest, to cheat, but resisting this temptation takes courage. You need to listen to your conscious, the voice that tells you to act according to the principles you have set for own self. All this in turn impacts our success in life and at work. Integrity develops trust among people. When we are ready to hold ourselves accountable for our actions, we become dependable. Companies want employees who are trustworthy, people who stick to their words and meet deadlines. People who live and work with integrity are more likely to be considered for promotions. You build a decent reputation.
Define you values. Set some boundaries for yourself. These values are your core beliefs, something you cannot compromise upon at any cost. Analyze every decision you make, every choice you pick. You can’t cut corners and pick up a simpler, but a wrong option only because no one is watching. Integrity isn’t something you adopt according to your convenience, these are values you should live with all the time. People will force you to make a wrong decision, in their own selfish interests, but you need to be stubborn enough to stand by your ground morals. Be humble, yet have a high self-esteem. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, not people who push you into a negative corner. Keep in mind that in the times of moral crisis, the temptation to make the wrong choice is even greater. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your true character.
Live according to your own beliefs. Your words mean nothing when your actions are the opposite.
About Carson Derrow
