Integrity is one of those personal measures that we all aspire to have. For me, after having gone through so many difficult challenges in life, like failing in a business and being fired from a high-profile job, I became sensitive to what people were saying. I quickly learned that actions are stronger than words. There is no place for excuses and sugar coatings with integrity.
Many of my recent articles were brought to life by something a friend or colleague said that I found intriguing. It is a pleasure to know how to listen. It is also a trait of someone with integrity. This article is no different. A close friend told me why he left his job a while ago. He told me that the company did not live up to its moral standards. For me it was a conversation with a close friend and she said I know you wouldn’t do that. You have too much integrity. I was amazed.
I ask you if you are a sole proprietorship and you put CEO on your business card, are you telling the truth? I think you are. Does it reflect what and who you are? That’s where it becomes a gray area. Rest assured, integrity does not hang in gray areas.
A common term that we don’t hear as much as we used to is “My word is my bond.” Say it all, right? If we put this in a business perspective, people like to deal with people they trust and respect. Trust and respect are earned. They are a fundamental part of integrity. Regaining trust and respect after losing it is one of the most difficult things you will ever do in your life. It forces you to be honest. To strip everything. Fluff is a white substance that lives on top of the cake. We must not let it seep into our daily life.
Have you evaluated who you are? Do you think you have integrity? There is only one way to find out and that is with a lot of quiet time remembering meaningful conversations. Conversations where shared mutual respect was expressed aloud. Ask yourself if you were my customer, would you buy from me? Life is about who trusts us and not so much who we trust. If you can honestly say that people trust me. They believe that what you say will reflect what you do. Congratulations. You qualify.