Integrity

Integrity is a behaviour-based virtue we can cultivate over time by setting a goal to show more integrity in everyday life; and we can reach that goal by practising certain behaviours. When we live our lives with integrity, it means that we are always honest and we let our actions speak for who we are and what we believe in. Integrity is a choice we make and it is a choice we must keep making every moment of our lives.
There are three steps to acting with integrity:

1. Define your values – your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work. They determine your priorities, and, deep down, they're the measures you use to tell if your life is turning out the way you want it to.
2. Analyse every choice you make – check whether the choices you make are in line with the values you hold.
3. Encourage integrity – because behaviour, thoughts and feelings are inextricably linked, your outward behaviour becomes a reflection of the values you hold (the way you think and feel).

Here are some examples of how to act with integrity:

1. Apologise to your children if you over-punish or yell at them. When you come home from work, tired and irritable, do you ever find you take it out on your kids? If you do, tell them you are sorry and apologise.
2. Highlight others’ accomplishments and downplay your own. If you are a boss or manager and have people working for you, notice their achievements and acknowledge them and let your own actions speak for themselves.
3. Boycott name-calling or other vicious behaviours with your romantic partners.
4. Avoid driving aggressively.
5. If you are in a position of power, apologise when you keep your audience waiting. If you have organised a meeting or you have someone waiting for you and you are late, apologise.
6. Give the benefit of the doubt. In a discussion or debate, where the circumstances are unclear, be the person, who backs down.
7. Volunteer yourself. This can be a formal situation where you volunteer your work, or in everyday situations, where you notice someone is in need of your help – volunteer yourself, without looking for reward or acknowledgement.

When we practise integrity with the behaviours above (and countless others), we attract like-minded people to us and that is good for business because it means we are leading our lives in a way that is true to our values and the person we want to be.
Kind regards
Susan