Seasoned human in search of world with Integrity.
Must be able to demonstrate consistency and reliability
In word and deed, even in the face of negative influence.
Must exhibit trustworthiness, honesty, fairness and impeccable scruples.
Able to navigate politics, pompous egos, ignorance and selfishness
without compromising self or others.
Wavering principles, values, and morals need not apply.
Can I take a guess that maybe you laughed as you read that “want ad?” If what I’ve been seeing and hearing lately from friends and colleagues weren’t so pathetically, gut-wrenchingly sad, I’d probably get a good chuckle from it, too. But I’ve heard stories that left me dumbfounded and asking myself, “What ever happened to integrity?”
You know what I’m talking about – having principles and doing what’s right; caring about the people around you; being honest and not outright lying to save yourself; not throwing others “under the bus” when you screw up; not using others to get ahead then throwing them aside; not swaying whichever way your “brown nose” leads you (for those that don’t know the term “brown nose” look here; also known as “sucking up to get ahead.”). Integrity, my friends, has become a lost art and I am surely discouraged.
Way too often, I hear friends and business colleagues say:
“I wouldn’t turn my back on….”
“He lied about….”
“I wouldn’t trust her farther than I could throw her.”
“I don’t want my name or resume associated with that place.”
“I feel sabotaged.”
“I’m not sleeping, and feel sick when I need to go to work.”
“I’m ashamed to say I work there.”
“I can’t get out of there soon enough.”
Integrity…On Wall Only
Integrity seems to be a really popular word when it comes to company values. But I always wonder if, when companies dream up their values, they pick it just because it sounds good. Do they really stop to think about what it means? How will they know if integrity is being practiced throughout the organization? How will they measure how well they’re doing against the value of integrity? What will they do if there is a leader, one who should be the role model of company values, does not exhibit integrity? Hell….do they even bother to ask themselves these questions? Do they even care? Maybe it really doesn’t matter… except for marketing purposes.
What’s ironic is these people all work for companies whose values specifically include the word “Integrity.” They span a wide variety of companies and industries, large and small, public and privately owned. It’s looking more and more like that value is being smudged right out of the picture…and no one seems to care. All is not right with the world, my friends…and it makes my guts churn.
Integrity is Strength
If you are a leader, or an aspiring leader, strong and consistent practice of personal integrity does NOT make you a weak leader. Integrity is NOT a “soft skill.” Integrity is strength, often in the face of adversity. It is always with the human spirit in mind. Some days it’s just damn hard when you see what’s happening around you and it’s not right, fair or ethical. Human nature makes you want to protect yourself. Integrity makes you want to protect those around you. If I’m remembered for nothing else, I hope to be remembered someday for my integrity.
Did you know that humans are the only species that can practice integrity? Oh, there are animals who may “frown upon” the antics of other animals, but they really don’t care. Let me say this again…HUMANS ARE THE ONLY SPECIES THAT CAN PRACTICE INTEGRITY.
Simon Sinek, renowned author and motivational speaker says, “Only when we take our values off the wall and actually live them can we say we have a strong corporate culture.” I would say, “Only when we have integrity can we say we are human beings.”
Head back up the page and read what people are saying …is that really the legacy you’d like to leave behind?
