You Are Your Word: The Ultimate Measure of Character and Integrity
Jamison Ernest
Co-founder/Co-Ceo/Chief Creative Officer/General Partner at Blue Scorpion Investments at Blue Scorpion Investments, L.P.
You Are Your Word: The Ultimate Measure of Character and Integrity
"The way someone does one thing is the way they do everything." This is an important saying that has stuck with me. It's a reminder that you are your word, and that your words hold immense power in shaping your life, building relationships, and creating opportunities. They reflect your character, your personal integrity, and what you stand for as a person and in business. In today's fast-paced world, with so many voices vying for attention, it can be easy to overlook the power of your words. But it's essential to remember that you are in control of your words and that they carry great weight in shaping your future.
Look at yourself in the mirror and say this out loud 'I AM MY WORD.'
Every time you make a promise or commitment, you are giving your word. Keeping that promise upholds your integrity and demonstrates your reliability, thereby building trust with those you made the promise to and with yourself. Your word should carry the same weight as a signed contract because it reflects your integrity and reliability. By keeping your word, you establish a reputation for dependability and open the door to opportunities in both your personal and professional life.
When someone consistently keeps their word, it says a lot about their integrity and trustworthiness. It shows that they have a strong commitment to their promises and take their commitments seriously. Keeping one's word demonstrates reliability and dependability, which helps build trust with others and within oneself. People are more likely to believe and trust someone who has a proven track record of keeping their promises and following through on their commitments. In this way, keeping one's word can have a positive impact on both personal and professional relationships.
On the flip side, breaking your promises or failing to deliver on your commitments damages your reputation. When someone doesn't keep their word, it can say a lot about their integrity and trustworthiness. It may indicate a lack of commitment, a disregard for their promises, and an overall unreliability. It can erode trust with others and can make it difficult for them to build meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. In contrast, keeping one's word demonstrates reliability, builds trust, and reinforces one's reputation as a trustworthy and dependable person.
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To be your word, you must be intentional with your words and the commitments you make. Consider the impact your words will have and only make promises that you are confident you can keep. Additionally, being a good listener helps you make informed decisions and avoid misunderstandings. Holding yourself accountable for your actions shows your commitment to your word and builds trust with those around you.
Unfortunately I've had some of the worst experiences with a certain generation of people who consistently don't keep their word or their promises. It's crucial for members of Gen Z to recognize the importance of keeping their word, especially in a world where text messages and digital communication have become the primary way of communicating. This can lead to a culture of convenience and immediacy, making it easier to ignore or forget commitments.
Here are some ways someone can keep their word even when they have to break it:
By taking full accountability for a broken promise in a responsible and ethical manner, you can demonstrate your commitment to your word and maintain your integrity and trust with others. Even when you have to break it you can create and a new commitment to your word. Your words are a reflection of who you are and hold the power to shape your life and future. Speak with intention, listen actively, and be 100% accountable for all of your actions.
All we have in this world is our integrity and our word, and we should never compromise either of them for anyone...Jamison
Project Manager at Blue Scorpion Investments
1 年Well said; it’s crucial to honor your commitments!
Owner and Director: bodyART Training Studios
1 年“Ghosting” is definitely not confined to the dating context. Many times, people lack the communication skills to navigate conflict in healthy ways. In a business environment, the conflict avoidance patterns can create truly untenable outcomes. As Warren Buffett said, “always tell me the bad news first, we can celebrate the good news later, but the bad news must be communicated immediately.” If this is not explicitly expressed from the top down, employees very frequently show up to the organization and lie, hide and fake, to avoid admitting a mistake or the inability to do something. TLDR…it’s super important to make a personal agreement, be impeccable with your word…and also, it’s important for those in leadership positions to create a safe atmosphere where there is empathy, honesty, and security to admit mistakes without fear.