By Jack Perry
In all areas of your life , character goes before the prize. Having a firmly entrenched code of honor and being a person of integrity are much more important than making money, winning fame, or earning any other prize life can offer. With integrity as your compass, you will gain the respect of your clients and prospects. And with respect, you have the foundation to build a relationship.
Integrity is a difficult concept to define, but most people can say they know it when they see it. Most dictionary definitions include “honesty” and “honor,” and most people have integrity to varying degrees. But perhaps identifying the meaning of integrity through actions is easier than simply defining the word. To gain a better understanding of integrity and how to instill it in your company, consider the following questions.
What Does Integrity Mean?
Integrity is carrying out a commitment that you made, long after the spirit and the mood of that commitment are gone. You stand by your word and your decision because of that commitment. For example, Eric Liddell was a British hopeful and favorite for the 100 and 200 meter dash events in the 1924 Olympic Games. He was fast, strong, and also the son of a missionary. So when the Olympic event schedule was published and his event was scheduled for Sunday, he refused to compete. He had made a commitment to observe the Sabbath, and racing on a Sunday would compromise his integrity.
The British press ripped Liddell apart, but he refused to budge. Finally the government officials agreed to let him run in the 400 meter event, but Liddell had never trained for that distance and two record holders were competing against him. However, Liddell set a new world record in that race. He came in five yards ahead of everyone else. Not only was Liddell victorious in the race, but he also maintained his integrity and commitment for observing the Sabbath.
Integrity also means doing the right thing when no one else is looking. For example, if you’re a sales professional in a meeting with a prospect, you obviously want to sell your product or service. But what if your product or service is clearly a bad fit for the prospect’s needs, although they don’t realize it? Do you lead the prospect in a confusing direction to seal the deal? Or do you back down and say, “I’m sorry; my company doesn’t have the best solution for your need.”? If you have integrity, then you should know which option is more honorable.
Another meaning of integrity is standing up for something or someone you know is right, even if doing so puts you at risk. For example, say your co-worker is getting yelled at by the sales manager in a business meeting. You’re often in competition with this co-worker, so their trouble could be good news for you. But you also know your co-worker is right.
If you defend and support your co-worker then you could be in trouble with the manager as well, but doing so shows your integrity because you stand up for what you know is right
What if You Compromise Your Integrity?
People usually compromise their integrity because they think that’s the easiest way to handle the particular situation or because they fear getting in trouble. But if you cross that bridge, then you must be prepared to deal with it. You can’t hide your actions, and when you don’t practice integrity, your behavior and reputation will catch up to you. For example, if you consistently tell white lies, that behavior may eventually become a habit. After time, your lying may become so instinctive that you won’t be able to distinguish the truth from your falsities.
If you’ve made a mistake, the first step is to come to terms with yourself. Next, go to the other person involved, admit your mistake, and ask for forgiveness. Integrity is a code you live by. And when you adhere to it, you feel better about yourself and you will attract other people with similar standards. If you stray from your code, make an effort to get back on track and promise yourself and the person you’ve wronged that you won’t do it again.
How Can You Maintain Your Personal Integrity?
Maintaining integrity requires courage. It means walking the talk at all times, but this can be difficult. Even the most honorable people sometimes feel compelled to compromise their integrity, but they may not consciously recognize these situations. You may get a funny feeling about something you’ve seen or heard, or something someone has asked you to do.
In these cases, when there’s any doubt, there is no doubt. You have to live with your actions. When faced with a decision that involves your integrity, you must ask yourself whether you can look yourself in the mirror and know your behavior was the right way to handle the situation. Would you want to share your behaviors with a group of impressionable teenagers? Would you want your behavior on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow? Can you face your family with your actions? Ask yourself these questions every time your integrity is compromised, and then you’ll know the right way to handle the situation.
How Can You Instill a Culture of Integrity in Your Organization?
Companies often publish codes of ethics that usually address the issue of integrity, but many times those documents are unclear and easily forgotten. So besides publishing and distributing these statements, company leaders should openly talk about them. Having employees come together in a forum to openly discuss shortcomings, successes, and areas in need of improvement is much more effective for creating a winning culture than just posting your ethics code on a bulletin board.
Integrity starts at the top of every organization, and as a leader, presenting the topic of integrity in an open meeting format takes courage and commitment. You may find yourself defending business practices, and you may find items in your company ethics code or your own behavior that need to be changed. But you’re responsible for modeling integrity to all your employees. If you spend company money lavishly, don’t report accurate numbers, and talk about your co-workers behind their backs, then your employees will follow your example.
Therefore, if you make a mistake in evaluating someone or over-price a client, then immediately go to the person and clarify the situation. And if a co-worker tries to involve you in office gossip, then change the subject. Model integrity for your employees and they will act with integrity.
Your Integrity in the Future
Integrity is often a difficult subject to address, but the concept is important to maintain in your personal life and in your business. Use these examples and information to identify honorable behavior and better understand what it takes to act with integrity. If you compromise your integrity, acknowledge it, and then confess to the people your actions have affected. When you sense your integrity may be compromised by a situation, then ask yourself whether you can face your family and those closest to you with your actions. And finally, to create and maintain a culture of integrity in your business, model integrity for your employees and have the courage to openly discuss challenges.
Now with your business relationships based on integrity, you will build credibility and trust, which will lead to long-term, mutually profitable relationships.
Integrity from The Respect Factor® Series, ©Jack Perry, 2005 All rights reserved
THE RESPECT FACTOR® is a trademark of Jack Perry in the United States and other countries. Used with permission. ©2009 Jack Perry. All rights reserved
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