How to Maintain Integrity

@ Workplace

"She is a person of integrity!" Ben was telling his boss about one of his teammates, Lisa. According to Ben, Lisa is an honest person.

Does that mean the rest of the teammates are dishonest?

No! that's not what Ben meant.

But why then did he say that?

Because he saw something in Lisa as a value system that she carries.

Integrity-'the degree to which a person lives by their values that are true and just in principle'

I was working in sales and marketing when I was in a job in Banking Industry. I have often come across a few colleagues whose actions and intentions did not match. For instance, they were hard-working individuals who met the monthly targets but often at the cost of misrepresentation of the services that we offered. Intentions matter when it comes to integrity. And there is a thin line between speaking the truth and speaking just enough to make a sale or to get-by a situation.

How to Gauge Integrity?

When your words and intentions match with your actions that are just in principle and you stand by your values no matter what, you are a person who holds integrity.

Characteristics of a Person of Integrity

1. ?Speaks the truth no matter what
2. ?Accepts a mistake with grace
3. Commits to what they can deliver and follow-through their words
4. Do not shy away from accepting weakness
5. ?Never complains, as they own responsibility for their actions
6. Unpretentious

The fact would be interesting if you pause for a moment and reflect on how many relationships around you match the above characteristics. I believe the number would be fewer than expected.

The by-product of being a person of integrity is- you become trustworthy.

How to Practice Being a Person of Integrity

The practice of Integrity begins with the alignment of your thoughts, words, and your actions.

How People Lose their Integrity

A simple lie though it seems harmless can damage integrity. See if the below scenarios ring a bell.

“Boss, I am unwell. Am taking a day off.”- The fact was the person had left-over yearly leaves.

“I am on the way. Will reach in 10-15min”- The fact is they are yet to start from home.

“I will call you back in 5 minutes”- The fact is there was no intention to call back soon.

“I will complete the task this weekend”- The fact is there is no action backing it.

We can manage situations and people in the short run but at the cost of Integrity. Being true to oneself builds Power. Though we may think we managed the situation, people can sense it. One will always carry the vibe in their aura which is of honesty or intentional dishonesty. This is what Ben was able to sense in Lisa – she carried a positive vibe of trust and integrity.

Simple Ways to Build Integrity

There is a saying- ‘What you do with one thing is what you do with everything.’ Begin by being true to yourself and it reflects the world around you.

1)?????Plan the day and complete the to-do list by letting go of excuses

2)?????Say sorry and acknowledge your mistakes when you err

3)?????Appreciate and acknowledge people genuinely

4)?????Commit to what you will do and learn to say NO when you don’t want to

5)?????Return a call back as per the timeline you mentioned

6)?????Make bill payments before the due date or on time

7)?????Be consistent will all the practices for a long time

8)?????Be true to yourself and speak the truth even if it seemingly displeases others

Integrity is a lifetime of practice. When you are true to yourself, others will see the same in you. It is a way of living. And you will be known as a person of good character.

The result of living this way starts reflecting in every other area of life. The life that you lead will be from the space of Power.