What is integrity?

Skip wrote about the importance of doing what we say we will. Here's a snippet:

"As a leader, it's becomes easy to make promises to people through statements that you say -- things you will improve, tasks you will take on, opportunities that are promised.  However, the true test of a leader is your follow-through -- can you deliver on those promises in the actions you take."

To me, this is so fundamental and it drives me crazy when people lack integrity.

That's right, I wrote INTEGRITY.

What is integrity?

Integrity is simple - it means doing what you said you would. A lot of people put higher moral meanings to the word, but let's demystify it.

If you do not keep your promises - you are not acting with integrity.
If you keep your promises - you act with integrity.

You said you would get the report done on Friday. It's not done on Friday. You are out of integrity.

You said you would finish the project by May 31. It's done before May 31st. You are in integrity.

People do not possess integrity as a lifelong trait like introversion or twisted sense of humor (enough about me). Integrity is a state that we are either in or out of in a particular time.  We are each in integrity or out of integrity RIGHT NOW.

Good news: You can get back into integrity anytime. Deliver on your promises and/or renegotiate them.  I think little things matter, too. It is important to keep both large and small promises.

And watch out for implied promises! This is what happens in meetings when we are not clear about what we will and won't get done (by who, by when). Half the room will have heard you promise to get the data to the group by the end of the day when you may have a very different perspective.

When I was managing a staff, I would routinely ask whether people were waiting on me for anything to make sure there were no implied promises not on my list. You can't renegotiate implied promises until they get out in the open.

Why should you stay in integrity? Mental mucky muck that runs amuck and mucks up your productivity! When you are out of integrity, all those unfinished items get in the way of your best thinking and activity. Even if you are not thinking about the late report - it is there, diminishing your returns.

Of course, there are other reasons, too. You will have better relationships at work. You will be regarded well and promoted more. You will get more done.

Make a list of all the things you said you would do and when you said you would do them. Are you in or
out of integrity? What can you do to get back in integrity?

• List 1: Things I will complete
• List 2: Things I need to renegotiate
• List 3: Things I should back away from

Fill all three lists and then act accordingly. It feels great to be in integrity.

When I think about this, there are a couple items on my List 2 and List 3. Getting these things off these lists will make a big difference.

Comments

[Scott Ahlsmith CTC]

Integrity is also the cornerstone of a successful brand.

Horst Schulze, the founder Ritz-Carlton Hotels, states very simply, "Your brand is your promise."

Horst tells a great story that illustrates his point. The revenue management accountants once told him they had divided Ritz-Carlton hotels into two groups -- those with above average room revenue per night and those with below average revenue. They proposed that the best way to deal with the second group was to replace the relatively expensive Ritz-Carlton bathroom amenities with less costly Marriott amenities.

Horst refused and said, "Ritz-Carlton shampoo in our bathrooms is just as integral to our brand as the name on the front of the building. Our guests expect Ritz-Carlton shampoo in our bathrooms, it is part of our brand's our promise to them."

[Lisa Haneberg]

Scott - Great story, thanks. It's a good way to think about it. As individuals, our integrity is our brand.

People will seek to deal with us when we act with integrity. They can trust our brand.

For managers, this is critical. Each manager practices a brand of leadership, management, and coaching. Conistency and integrity enables people to know, understand, and seek our brand.

[Ken Bobco]

There's a class war going on in America between the middle class and what is commonly referred to as "management." Integrity is painful. It requires work. The first step is to begin to speak about "I" rather than "you."
It's a nice safe feeling to imagine that when I lie and steel from my employees, I'm part of a class of people who are "downsizing," or "cutting back," when all I'm doing is indulging myself in the entitlement of unaccountability. The work I'm referring to begins by telling the people you've wronged, "What I did was wrong, and there's no excuse for it." The second step is to take action to prevent it from ever happening again. This often means going to MY manager and saying, "Don't count on me to ever do that again, because any assault on the integrity of my employees amounts to an attack on the foundations of the institution."

[Ana]

hello my neme is ana i have 13 years old
An d i think that you wrote istrue becuse to me pas igual that you.
God bless you ever.and remenber God never alone he ever stay with you

[adams o mustapha]

i have a lecture to deliver on INTEGRITY on friday, 28/03/2008. kindly send me a comprehensive material about integrity - shall be gratefull - thank you

[Hollywood]

Integrity is not a conditional word, it doesn't blow in the wind or change the weather.

[cody alexander]

this one sucks you need to look in the dictoinary

[aion kinah]

the integrity of my employees amounts to an attack on the foundations of the institution."