Integrity: Doing the Right Thing Matters! (By Elle Michelle Anderson )

A while back, I was asked to lead a discussion on the topic of integrity at a training institute where I served as a presenter. I was honored to speak on the subject given that integrity is a value that plays an integral part in every aspect of my life. While preparing for my presentation, I was thinking of different ways I could share my views on how I integrate the value of integrity into my life without coming off sounding sanctimonious, or worse. By chance, I ran across a quote that embodies my point of view about what integrity means to me. The quote by C.S. Lewis says, "Integrity is doing the right thing. Even when no one is watching". An analogous quote by Oprah Winfrey states, "Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." In other words, the way I see it - integrity is where our beliefs, words and actions intersect. It is not something that can be faked or disingenuously exhibited in pursuit of accolades or praise from others.

The most succinct way I can describe integrity is that it is equivalent to breathing life into our morals and values. What I know for sure is the act of exemplifying integrity in our lives on a daily basis is a choice. I often say, the choices people make, good or bad, can impact the entire trajectory of their life. Having integrity does not mean a person is perfect by any means. It just shows that some people are more conscientious in making morally sound decisions than others. How wonderful it would be if more people would exercise more selfless choices.

Doing the Right Thing

Over the majority of my career, I have worked in two areas that have the greatest influence on the success or failure of a business, i.e., financial and human resources. Consequently, during my tenure, I have arbitrated numerous cases in which integrity had come into question. While presiding over each case, I always kept the words of wisdom at the forefront of my mind which an esteemed colleague said to me years ago while teaching a workshop on the principles of ethics and integrity. He said, "When it comes to integrity in the workplace, there is no such thing as a bad person. There are only good people who are put in bad situations".

Depending on your belief system, I guess there could be some truth in that statement. However, I would be hard pressed to agree with this sentiment in its entirety given my belief system about integrity which is, 'doing the right thing even when no one is watching'. In this statement, there is no judgment of good or bad about the individual. I simply believe a person of integrity who is put in a bad situation will in all likelihood choose to do the right thing. Of course, having integrity does not mean there is no room for error or that a person of integrity is always picture-perfect in every word, thought or deed. However, whether it is at work or play, a person of integrity will most certainly hold true to this value regardless of the situation.

In my profession, my goal is to always be very intentional in leading others by example. When training my staff, I teach them to take pride in their work and to execute their duties as if their every move and decision is subject to audit. This strategy is not intended to intimidate. As a matter of fact, I truly believe that an effective leader leads through motivation, not through intimidation. So, as a leader, I utilize my experience and values to motivate others to do the right thing at all times even if no one is watching. This goes a long way in your career as well as your personal life.

Integrity in Relationships

I believe integrity is just as important in professional relationships. Everyone has most likely, at one point or other, been involved in a situation or have had a professional relationship in which someone they know exhibited a lack of integrity. In many of these situations people speak as if they value integrity, but in reality their actions prove otherwise. One thing that never lies is a person's actions. How a person conducts themselves will always show who they truly are more than the words they speak. There are many people who will smile in your face while they conspire to stab you in the back - metaphorically speaking, of course! As Maya Angelou once said, 'When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time". I have learned over the years to really understand this adage.

So, when it comes to professional relationships, and personal relationships too for that matter; I watch people's actions and see if their words align. Those that don't, are the ones who are basically showing you who they are by their actions. These individuals will more than likely make bad choices, usually at someone else's expense. Their tactics may work in their favor in the short-run, but it definitely will not benefit them in the long-run. Remember, nothing good or bad lasts forever! Deception and lack of integrity will always catch up with a person. That's why I do not spend time hating on people who show a lack of integrity in professional or personal relationships. I do not have to obsess over trying to get back at anyone in these instances. For them, simply living a life without integrity has got to be the worse punishment of all.

In Summary

To sum things up, given my view that integrity is a value where our beliefs, words and actions intersect, I do not believe that it is something one can exhibit in one part of their life and not the other. It is not something that can be turned on or off at a whim. Integrity is a value so powerful that it can significantly impact personal and professional relationships. I believe integrity is important not just in our professional careers, but in all aspects of our lives. It is important to note, the mere act of exhibiting integrity on a consistent basis does not make any one person better than anyone else. Everyone has a chance to redeem themselves even after demonstrating a lapse in integrity. Which reminds me of another quote which says: "There is no better test of a man's integrity than his behavior when he is wrong". All in all, however, I believe a person of true integrity will more than likely choose to do the right thing regardless of the situation. The reward is not in seeking acknowledgement from others. The true reward is simply knowing they have done the right thing. Exhibiting integrity is a choice that everyone has the opportunity to exercise. Although not everyone holds integrity as a value, it is my hope that more people will make the choice to do the right thing regardless of the situation or whether someone is watching.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Integrity:-Doing-the-Right-Thing-Matters!&id=9563285

5 Thoughts That Can Get You Through (Almost) Anything

Collected over a lifetime, advice to keep you moving forward.

I’ve been given a lot of advice in my life, some good, some bad, most forgettable, and some…outstanding. I’ve previously written about one unforgettable piece of "advice" (it wasn't exactly advice) from my father. Now I'm adding 5 more nuggets to the list. The words of wisdom below are so concise and powerful that I find myself reciting them in my mind at least a few times a week. See if you feel the same way.

As I wrote down these 5 gems to share with you, I realized they all had some common elements. Maybe you’ll pick up a pattern as you read. If not, I’ll reveal it at the end.

1. “Do what makes you feel best about yourself.” 

A friend once gave me this advice. I took it to heart as a reminder to live up to my own values whenever possible. When your life is in sync with your values, you have peace of mind.

2. “Just do the best you can.”

The mother of a friend of mine gave her this advice. Thanks to this gem, my friend works hard but never feels compelled to be perfect. I’ve adopted this advice as one of my own personal mottoes.

3. “Set your own standards and work up to them.”

This piece of advice, offered by my partner, reminds me to…well, first of all, HAVE some standards, and, second, work up to—or in some cases, down to—them. I’ve also learned that I don’t have to have high standards for everything, just the few things of vital importance to me.  

4. “Do what makes sense to you.”

This advice, also from my partner, might be my favorite. For a lot of tasks, chores, and choices, there is no one right answer or one right way to go. “Do what makes sense to you” helps you cultivate judgment and problem-solving skills. Whether you are making a large or small decision, this motto can strengthen your unique ways of meeting life's challenges.

5. “Welcome mistakes and learn from them.”

I learned this from life and from my psychology reading (with a particular nod to the research of Carol Dweck). When I was younger, I didn’t have the courage to take risks and bounce back from failure. I was too concerned with protecting my ego. As I've matured, I’ve learned that a mistake is just Reality’s way of teaching you something important. (But it’s up to you to figure out what that important thing might be.) 

Did you pick up the common threads? All of these advice nuggets help you explore your own identity, rather than directly tell you what to do. This kind of advice strengthens the self and gives you confidence to make future decisions based on what you’ve learned has and hasn’t worked for you in the past. As Socrates said, “Know thyself.” This advice gives you the ways and means to do just that.

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/changepower/201505/5-thoughts-can-get-you-through-almost-anything