Integrity

maintaining high standards of honesty & ethics at all times; living our values

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People with this competence: 

• Act ethically and are above reproach;

• Do what’s right, even if it’s not personally rewarding;

• Build trust through their reliability and authenticity;

• Admit their own mistakes and confront unethical actions in others;

• Maintain an authentic openness with others about their values, beliefs, feelings, and actions;

• Take tough, principled stands even if they are unpopular;

• Keep their word, commitments and promises;

• Are honest and give true, accurate information; and

• Treat all people fairly, no matter their place in the organization.

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People lacking this competency:

• Haven’t sorted out their own opinions and feelings of what’s right and what's wrong;

• Do what is most expedient rather than what is right;

• Show little independence of thought – are easily influenced by others; and

• Tend to respond to the needs of the moment and don’t challenge the way things are done, even if they go against their established values.

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Development tips: 

• Know your values and the principles you feel most strongly about;

• Write them down, and keep them in a visible place (calendar, desk);

• Write a paragraph or two, exploring whether your behavior is consistent with your values;

• Ask yourself what you need to do differently to live more genuinely and be true to, and in integrity with, your values and beliefs;

• Figure out ways you can tell your truth; 

• Review your values often.

 

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” - General Norman Schwarzkopf 

 

Great Resource:

Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality, by Dr. Henry Cloud

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