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We can all point to an example of someone with integrity. Mother Teresa always comes to mind for me. Most of us have defined it simply as “doing the right thing when no one is looking”. But that isn’t the full definition of Integrity, is it? These two sentences are actions, it is how we live with integrity.
What is Integrity?
Depending on where you went to school, you started learning about integrity in your math class somewhere between 5th and 7th grades. When I am in front of an audience, I love the blank stares I get when I ask this next question:
What is an integer?
Before you stand up and say you never learned this, we all learned what this was. There is always one person in my audience (usually in the front 2 rows) that raises their hand to answer the question. You can Google it if you want, but let’s make this simple. An integer is a whole number.
As with many words in the English language, there is a root. Integer is the root of Integrity. If we can define what the root is, we can better understand what the word means. As we said above, an integer is a ‘whole’ number.
The whole becomes the operative phrase here. It is complete, there are no fractions or decimals. When we speak of ‘integrity’ that also means the same thing, complete, no fractions, no almost, or just about. How does this look from the outside?
A person with integrity doesn’t tell the truth ‘most’ of the time. They don’t lie just a little, they aren’t mostly faithful to their spouse. It’s an all-or-nothing condition. It is whole.
Mostly peaceful
In the summer of 2020, as billions of dollars in damage was being done, people were being murdered, looting, and rioting going on - our ‘trusted’ media reported that these events were ‘mostly peaceful’. When those words rolled out of the mouths of the talking heads, cracks formed in their foundation. Anyone with two eyes could see the fires and devastation. If there was any trust in those analysts, it went out the window that summer.
As a leader with integrity you practice what you preach, you say what you’ll do, and do what you say. If the office knows you are cheating on your spouse, will they just believe that you are honest with each one of them? Even something as simple as cheating in a game can start the cracks in that foundation.
Your integrity is the foundation that you build your life on. As with any foundation, you need it to be solid. No cracks. Nobody is perfect, which means you may have a few dings and dents, but it needs to be intact. In Michigan, we know how important a solid foundation is for your home. Deep below the ground, where no one can see, your foundation secures your home. If a crack occurs, water will find it. And when it does, it soon will be pouring in and the damage can be devastating.
Deep below your surface, your foundation is your integrity. Are you honest, open, faithful? Can you be trusted? Are you responsible and respected? Do you have pride?
Aspects of integrity
Honesty - this is straightforward. Don’t lie - sometimes the truth is inconvenient, and you need a proper time and place to convey it, but you must be honest with people.
Respect - you must respect others and treat them as you wish to be treated. Asking them their opinions, not dismissing them, building that bond will build respect.
Generating Trust - Actions speak louder than words. Say what you’ll do, do what you say, and trust will come.
Responsibility - Don’t shirk your responsibilities. Don’t just mindlessly carry out a task, go at it with enthusiasm.
Keeping Promises - I learned a long time ago this simple phrase; “I don’t know, but I will find out.” Then add, I will call you on Tuesday afternoon with the info … even when I didn’t have the info yet, I called back and provided an update.
Helping Others - adding value, we spoke about helping people through the 5-stages of growth just last week - this is how we do it. Remember these types of questions when you seek to add value.
What can I help you with?
Who do I know that you need to know?
What is it you are looking for?
I don’t pretend to be a geologist, but what I learned during my visit to Yosemite (pictured below) is that it is a mountain range of granite. It is one solid piece of granite hundreds of miles long throughout the Sierra Nevada’s. If you need a visual of integrity, this is what I picture in my mind. When people think of you and your legacy, will it be a solid piece of granite or look more like a Michigan road and full of potholes?
The Kole Performance Group can help you repair your potholes. It’s hard work today but will lead to a better tomorrow.
What is integrity?