Integrity acts as a beacon, guiding the behavior and attitude of you and your team. The basis and foundation of every relationship is trust, and trust is born out of integrity.
Integrity is the state of being when what you say or believe in is in sync with how you act. It means choosing to do the right thing irrespective of the circumstances or consequences.
A person with integrity will exhibit it as part of his or her character, and not simply part of a particular role in their life. If they are true to their word, then they will exhibit this quality in all of their interactions.
The role of integrity in business is crucial. It is also a validation of your character amongst your customers, employees, and peers. Without integrity, all competencies and resources can function, but they fail to find any consistent or meaningful expression.
So let’s look at some of the ways to enhance integrity:
➢ Define integrity – Once you have chosen your set of values and principles, write them down. For example, a conscious declaration lends the power of conviction to your personal or company mission statement. It then acts as a beacon, guiding the behavior and attitude of you and your team.
➢ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – This is the cornerstone of integrity. At all times, maintain an objective, sensitive and fair approach towards everybody. Keep confidential matters confidential, and uphold the trust placed upon you. When we treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated, our actions are aligned with our highest self.
➢ Accept responsibility – Accepting responsibility means relinquishing ego and taking an objective look at what is needed to resolve the situation and then doing it sincerely.
➢ Be open to feedback – from all quarters, including customers, colleagues, and juniors. Although integrity is the guardian, the values integrity upholds have the potential to evolve over time. Therefore, ask for ideas to enhance yourself.
➢ Be utterly reliable – Ensure that whatever you create is your best. If for any reason you can’t keep your commitment, tell people in advance then suggest an alternative. Remember, everything that you say or do is a reflection of who you are. Make it count.
The only way to safeguard integrity is to ensure that we, at all times, are guided by a conscious awareness of who we are choosing to be.