Integrity is the quality of being honest, consistent and uncompromising adhering to strong moral, ethical and legal principles.
We live in a world where we are challenged, on virtually a daily basis, to uphold the principles of integrity and subsets of trust, truth, incorruptibility, virtue, character, honour, authenticity, humility and transparency.
Unfortunately, our leaders - in business, politics, government and faith - will disappoint us in some fashion. They will fail to uphold the standards which we should rightly expect.
Why is this so important? Why should we demand integrity to be our default position and the standard of conduct by which we measure character? I have five thoughts on the subject.
1. We live in a rules-based society. It works because of the integrity of the participants and their acceptance of the rules. We discipline those who choose not to participate. We look to our leaders to validate the standards by their words and deeds. When they do not lead with integrity and choose to ignore the rules that apply to all, society is weakened.
2. We live in an honour-based society. We expect others to conduct themselves in a manner which respects the common norms, even when no one is watching...or when they think that no one is watching.
‘...dance like no one is watching; but behave like everyone is...’
3. We live in a society that demands trust. We stop at red lights and stop signs. We deposit money in banks with the expectation that it will be there when we ask for it. There is a myriad of examples that anyone could cite. We trust because it works; not perfectly, but it is far better than the alternative. However, when trust is broken, especially by those in leadership, or when it is done repeatedly, our trust is shaken and our hopes are broken. That is not the society that we want for ourselves and for our fellow citizens. Trust is replaced by fear, and fear is a defensive response that benefits no one. We shelter and defend rather than participate.
4. John Wooden, a great man of integrity in college basketball stated this. “...reputation is what others think of you; character is what you really are...”. We look to our leaders to be people of great and strong character. You can argue that we should not look to others for example or inspiration, but we do. It’s human nature. So, if you choose to lead, choose also to lead with integrity.
5. Finally, we want a society that is incorruptible. We should not have to be concerned that there will be circumstances in which our leaders are influenced to misbehave because of money, power or opportunity. We need them to be good... consistently and without exception. That is integrity.
Why does integrity matter? Because we have established a society that demands and expects it; a society that needs it to function.
And because it is right!
