Human Resources

Integrity Matters

Chelsey Baker, business advisor and life coach, looks at the importance of integrity as the cohesive force which binds all successful social and business interactions together.

Integrity is the antithesis of dishonesty and comes with consistent, honest and trustworthy actions. Whether practiced in one’s business or personal life, it is perhaps the most honourable and commendable of all traits to possess. Without it, your reputation amounts to nothing and you’ll end up with few friends and even fewer trusted business associates.  In an ideal world, everyone would be brought up to embrace and to value personal integrity and, indeed, many of us are; others find it a less instinctive trait but come to value it through maturity as we come to learn that integrity is the corner stone of honest commerce and successful social interaction. Those with integrity are marked out by their strong moral principles, good character, truthfulness, sincerity, virtue, fairness and decency; for such people Integrity is its own reward!

Integrity tests are regularly used by employers as a proven reputation and track record is vital in establishing trust and successful business relationships. In the Corporate world, this can make an immense impact on the success of a company and its leaders; a good consistent reputation is the hallmark of success. So make sure you thoroughly research all your embryonic ideas and plans before showing your hand, this way you will be far more likely to both deliver the goods on time and thus avoid letting people down, not to mention embarrassing yourself.

No matter how hard you strive to make yourself look important, knowledgeable, and successful, unless you actually come up with the goods, all of your talk amounts to nothing more than meaningless empty promises. No-one appreciates being fed bull**** but this is exactly what an inherent lack of integrity can produce. Unfortunately, we all know people who have the ability to con others or to spuriously convince them that wonderful and amazing things are about to happen whilst, time after time, nothing ever comes of it.  Remember, a trust is lost that is never found again!

It is, therefore, important to always take into consideration other people’s feelings and needs. No-one likes to be taken for a ride and to deliberately do it to others is something every decent person should find an anathema.  If there are no regrets then integrity is totally missing. Some people are so used to living in a perpetual state of self delusion that they have entirely lost sight of the potential for devastation in theirs and in other’s lives.  It is important to remember that when you let other people down, you ultimately let yourself down.

In business, when it comes to reputation, honesty is key; so whenever you deal with clients or team workers and are uncertain of a potential outcome; it is advisable to be completely open about this. Provided people are kept informed they are far less likely to be disappointed, it also enables them to contribute to positive ideas and suggestions. We all like to feel part of a think tank and in corporate life, teamwork is essential.

Should an endeavour fail despite endless hours of preparation and planning, then so long as you have been honest from the beginning, and readily admit defeat, no one should think any less of you. In fact, it is more likely that they will respect you for all of your efforts.  Taking responsibility for ones actions, whether or not the outcome is good or bad, is vital to gaining respect. If you repeatedly do the opposite, then a reputation is born which will discolour and taint anything you do in the future and you then become the loser.

Don’t be swayed by others if your way of thinking is right. Being true to yourself, your principles and your beliefs is the principal way in which you’ll maintain your integrity. Set yourself high standards and avoid being led astray by lesser people around you. Constantly re-evaluate what you think, feel and say and always be prepared to stand up for what you believe is right.

There are varying interpretations of success.  Some people are content with just having had a good honest day without any repercussions or guilt whilst others strive towards more long term goals of grandeur, power and wealth. This is not entirely a bad thing in itself just so long as no-one becomes hurt or disadvantaged in the process: ambition can drive some people to dishonesty and grandiosity with extremely negative if not downright destructive consequences. Conversely, some of the most powerful and successful people have quiet and unassuming characters and strive to avoid attention or publicity. This is perhaps the most impressive form of success because it is not sought but given. Integrity is the primary ingredient in the formula of success.

As the famous quote has it: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters.  If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.”