Integrity: Adherence to a code of values and soundness.
Is it just me or has our society accepted corruption, deceit, and broken promises as the norm? Why do we have to enact laws to have executives and corporations to be straight up in their accounts and reports on earnings?
Isn't it interesting that since the Tsunami, our second-greatest concern is whether our relief efforts and supplies will ever reach the victims . . . or will our money end up lining the pockets of corrupt individuals, organizations, and governments?
Over the past couple of years, my company has hired a couple of contractors who have conducted themselves without integrity. Their values were set to over-promise and under-deliver rather than under-promise and over-deliver! Unfortunately, the result is that we are now more suspicious and cautious with new contractors and have a "prove that you are telling the truth" mindset.
Today's rampant lack of integrity has cost us all billions of dollars (Do I have a great stock tip for you!), plus the immeasurable cost of reduced peace of mind.
Last year, my company implemented a new return policy because of what we felt was a lack of integrity from a small group of clients. Some organizations were placing large orders then, without warning, returning the entire order and expecting a full cash refund.
What bookstore will take your half-read book back for a refund? Many times, the products were damaged. This group was also very demanding. As a result, we no longer offer cash refunds, only a credit, minus a high-percentage restocking fee.
Not that long ago, we had a longstanding client engage us in a service contract. The project took several weeks to outline and confirm before its signing and launch. The contract states the project is non-cancelable for any reason but may be postponed upon mutual agreement. Recently, the client phoned asking to cancel the contract and used our longstanding relationship as a potential reason that I would agree to this request. Ironically one of the focuses of that project was that his business had a destructive corporate culture of not keeping its promises or commitments. In discussion with others that I do trust, I agreed that the client's request is out of integrity and not reasonable. It seems that some people find it a burden to keep their word!
So what about closer to home . . . How do you conduct your own life? Is it with or without integrity?
Integrity can apply to all areas of our lives and is constantly affecting our reputation and success. All of us at sometime or another has been out of integrity. But the question is, do we own up to it and learn from the experience or do we continue to conduct ourselves in ways we don't like to see in others?
It is easy to cite larger-than-life examples of lack of integrity (Enron) but what about the everyday mundane events and choices that established your level of integrity? Things like slacking at work and taking full pay for a half-hearted effort, skipping work, phoning in sick when you are out with your family or friends, or misrepresenting yourself to a new employer, client, or organization. Did you know that employee theft is one of the greatest losses to employers?
What about promises that you make and never intend to fulfill, like telling your friend you are busy when you simply did not feel like going out that night?
Some people think the little things (being out of integrity) don't count! Oh, really! Integrity is an all-or-nothing way of thinking. Either you run your life in integrity or you don't. How you act somewhere is the way you act everywhere. If you are suggesting situational integrity is okay, you are saying that your values or integrity are for sale -- the amount needs to be negotiated before you decide if you have integrity that day or not.
You should never compromise your values and integrity to reflect the poor conduct of others. I have been tempted on many occasions to consider compromising my integrity but, in the end, I could not because I would have simply become what I loathe.
I want to clarify that integrity or lack of it does not include situations where there is a difference of position or understanding. Some individuals confuse a legitimate difference of opinion with an integrity issue, when in fact it is simply a difference of opinion.
And integrity also has a personal perspective. This is where you are not honoring or being truthful with yourself. When you mislead or force yourself to believe you like your job (or something else) when in reality, deep down, you don't like what is going on, aren't you out of integrity with yourself?
The good news is that a shift is starting to happen in our society where we are not going to take it anymore -- we expect, demand, and insist on integrity.
My encouragement to you is threefold.
1.First: none of us is perfect; we need to give ourselves some grace when we incur errors in judgment and when our integrity is called into question. The key is to acknowledge it and learn from it, and then move on. 2.Integrity is a choice (yes, there could be an exception, but that is rare) and you can, at any moment, choose to be in or out of integrity. It does not matter what others do! 3.Do not underestimate the importance of your personal integrity with yourself. Don't deceive yourself on what values and beliefs are true or desirable for you. Call it the way it is; you will start to find a new freedom and a new-found energy from this approach.
Sometimes in life, confusion or lack of clarity about your own values can contribute to your being personally out of integrity.
Finally, surround yourself with friends, colleagues, and others who share your desire to live in integrity. It is much easier when you have models, examples, and support that reflect your commitment to a life based on integrity.
*** Action Steps
Living a Life based on Integrity
1.Integrity is an important and critical characteristic to Living on Purpose. 2.Do you live your life based on integrity? 3.What would others say about the way you conduct yourself? Do you keep your promises? Are you someone that people can trust? 4.Do you believe integrity is situational? If you feel it is situational, your values are for sale; it is simply a matter of price. How does that statement make you feel? 5.Does the conduct of others influence whether or not you act with integrity? If you are letting others determine how you act -- immediately change that and independently choose your own path. 6.Integrity also applies to being truthful with yourself and your life situation. What is your level of integrity with yourself? If it is not as high as it could be, what do you need to change in terms of decisions and choices? 7.The ability to live in personal integrity is much easier when your values are set, clear, and defined. A values based assessment may assist you in this process. 8.Nobody is perfect; give yourself some grace when you blow it. Simply acknowledge the shortcoming and learn from it for future reference. If you burden yourself with guilt, you will not be as productive and joyful as you could be. 9.Enjoy the freedom and positive feelings that come from living in integrity. Embrace the benefits; they are far and wide. 10.Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who value integrity. Reduce, limit, or omit (if possible) contact with others who do not share your value of living in integrity.
Until next time, keep Living On Purpose,
Ken Keis
Planning Your Journey Be sure to familiarize yourself with your destination. The Internet is an excellent resource for researching the area you will be visiting, and many visitor centers will also send a welcome packet for a nominal fee - as well as answer any questions by phone. Things that you should know before you leave include: the address and specific location of your hotel, the exact route to get there and hotel check in time. Also be aware of any specifics you might need en route, such as money for cab fare or toll roads, and carry a decent map of the region in case all else fails and you get lost. A cell phone is always a good idea in case of complications as well ? be sure to have emergency numbers handy to contact your family, employer, etc. if necessary.
Consider your transportation needs. Is this an extended stay? Will you need a vehicle to drive or does the area have adequate public services such as busses, subways and commuter trains? Familiarize yourself with available transport as well as related costs and be sure to keep a copy of the bus or subway schedules with you if you plan to ride instead of drive.
Select your lodging with your specific desires and needs in mind. For example, if you want the convenience (and lesser expense) of being able to store and prepare your own food, choose accommodations with a kitchenette, or at least a refrigerator and a microwave. If you are traveling with small children and want to lighten your load, many hotels offer cribs, which will save you the trouble of packing one. In the U.S. hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, personal toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner and lotion, as well as optional laundry and dry cleaning services for an additional fee have become standard in many hotels, though you should first verify with your specific location before relying on any of these options.
Be certain that you have adequate funds for any emergencies on your trip. Always keep enough cash to call home, get transportation and a meal. Keep your money safe and on your person in a money belt or small wallet and don't display needlessly. A credit card or access to traveler's checks for unforeseen large expenses or emergencies is also necessary. If you are outside of your country, be certain that you have an adequate grasp of currency conversions.
Before You Leave Properly prepare for your journey. If you are leaving your country, you must have a valid passport, be current with your immunizations and should familiarize yourself with relevant foreign customs regarding appropriate behavior. Also become acquainted with all pertinent laws according to your destination. Many books are available to give guidance for new visitors to just about every country in the world.
Take care of business on the home front. Put your mail and newspaper delivery on hold and leave a light on in your home for an ?occupied? look. Also, ask a neighbor or friend keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. For a very extended vacation, consider paying someone to housesit ? to attend to pets, plants, lawn care and other incidentals. Adjust your heating or air conditioning to minimum levels while you are gone and verify that all appliances and electrical equipment are turned off. Double check that your doors and windows are secure and don't leave extra house keys in obvious places such as under the welcome mat or above the entry ? would-be thieves are as aware of these places as you are. Remember to give your itinerary, destination and several contact phone numbers to someone that you trust.
Get plenty of rest the night before you depart ? last minute planning and packing is not only stressful but leaves you prone to forgetting something. While traveling, wear comfortable clothing and shoes, but dress well enough to appear respectable in case of an unforeseen situation. Always keep your wallet, keys, ID, necessary medications and anything of importance, value or difficult to replace on your person, this is especially important when flying as airlines do occasionally make mistakes and lose luggage.
When Flying As most are aware, the aftermath of September 11th has impacted the airline industry and everyone who flies. Therefore, leave sufficient time to check in for your flight as well as for inspection of your bags and person. Many airlines offer web or remote check in which can help speed up the process; this is especially advantageous if you do not have luggage to check. When packing, carefully review TSA and specific airline rules for acceptable carry on items. Typically disallowed in carry on bags are: sharp objects of any kind, lighters or anything that may be construed as a weapon. Comply politely with requests made by security personnel and be prepared to have your bag searched. It is a good idea to purchase a TSA approved locking mechanism to for your checked bags as TSA may break any locks if your bag is chosen for a random search.
Most airlines provide a light beverage and small snack such as a granola bar or peanuts, but food service is not guaranteed even on longer flights. Plan accordingly with easily accessible, nutritious snacks for yourself and especially young children. Also, be considerate of your flight neighbors - cramped conditions are not enjoyable for anyone and are made less so by thoughtless seatmates. Abide by rules of common courtesy and remember to bring entertainment ? a book, magazines, puzzles or a laptop with headphones for music or movie DVDs.
Traveling By Car If you are driving any distance, verify that your vehicle is in good working condition, and that all fluids have been topped off and tires inflated properly. Be sure that your spare tire is ready to use and that you have all necessary emergency road equipment ? crow bar, jack, flares, etc. Keep proof of your insurance and drivers license handy and provide your children with age appropriate safety seats, which are mandatory in many U.S. states. Snacks and water for the trip will help you avoid driving delays, and entertainment for your passengers is also a good idea, as noted above for flying. Remember, don't leave valuables or keys in your vehicle and always lock your car.
Safety In Your Hotel and Elsewhere Once you have arrived at your destination, be aware of your surroundings so that you can take note of any suspicious or unusual activity. Be especially cautious at night and before entering parking garages or other secluded areas. When in public, always make an effort to appear confident and purposeful in order to thwart scam artists on the lookout for ?tourists?. As with money, don't display your hotel keys in public or leave them where they may be easily stolen. Don't invite strangers to your room or needlessly reveal your personal details to anyone, and always verify the identity of any hotel employees before allowing them to enter. Also, when you are in your room, be sure to close and lock the door and check that all connecting doors are also secured. And never leave children unattended or trust them to the care of someone you don't know!
Making the most of these traveling tips will help you better prepare for your journey and make your experience safer and easier - leaving you with more opportunity to enjoy yourself on both the journey and at your destination once you arrive.
Both Ken Keis & Tonya Kopp are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ken Keis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Finance, Personal Finance and Marriage. Ken Keis is an internationally known author, speaker, consultant, & President of CRG. Many professionals herald CRG as the # 1 global resource center for Personal/Professional Development. For information on CRG Resources, please visit. Ken Keis's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Tonya Kopp has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Finance, Travel and Leisure. An experienced traveler, Tonya Kopp offers everyone the advantages of seeing the world for just pennies on the dollar - for life. Visit . Tonya Kopp's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.