Integrity

Integrity is talked about a lot these days.  Everywhere people are looking for leaders, for employees, for colleagues and friends, even spouses -with integrity.  It is listed as one of the requirements of lasting success. -And yet it seems to be an increasingly rare commodity.
People have become increasingly more sceptical and suspicious about leaders and their motives.

How will you define integrity and how would you know that some one is a person of integrity??
Is this some abstract quality that people keep on saying they have, because they think that in doing so, other people will allow them to occupy positions of authority, because they are seen as "good" and trustworthy?

Is integrity something that you need to tell others you have, or is it a quality that friends and colleagues observe in your life?

I subscribe to this definition:  "Integrity is being your word."  
To me that means that you will do what you said you would, by when you said you would do it.
It means that you keep your word, even to yourself...

I like the word "being" in this definition: It implies that integrity is not just about what or who you say you are, it is not about perception, but about what you actually and consciously live out in practice. -It means that you ARE your word!

Too many leaders say one thing and live the (complete) opposite...... That is why so many people have lost trust in all levels and sorts of leaders. They may give leaders a degree of respect, because of some perceived position that they have, but they don't trust them at all!

Integrity -being your word, allows others to trust you. Trust is a vital ingredient in lasting personal and professional relationships. Without trust you have nothing! It is also key in becoming a person of influence.

Being your word starts and builds on small things.
BE your word today!