What is Integrity?

I am always asked "What is Integrity" in a business environment?

Good question!

One way you could define it would be to say it is a set of moral or ethical standards that are adhered to.

The key in this statement is the part where they are adhered to!

The real test of what is integrity would be when those moral or ethical standards could be easily avoided/violated without consequences, yet they are still adhered to.

Simply put if you know that there will not be a highway patrolman ahead you still drive the posted speed limit. Someone without integrity will have a radar detector in their vehicle.

Someone with integrity will return additional change given to them by mistake from a cashier.

In business, and especially as leaders, our integrity can be tested almost on a daily basis.

Do we treat all employees fairly? Do we really?

Are there employees you like more than others and may overlook their poor behavior?

What about discrimination?

Do you ever consider providing more of your time, training, promotions, transfers, etc., to certain groups of individuals?

What if you're a certain religion and you know that one of your employees is blatantly violating parts of your religion and they ask for time off to participate in something you are against?

What if you are conducting an inventory and you recognize that one of your vendors sent a double order of a product but has only charged you for one? All the paper work and invoices provided only account for one order.

What is Integrity? Doing the right thing even if you can get away with doing something different!

What about using the company credit card to charge something on a business trip that does not qualify as an expense, but you code it to reflect one.

What about counting the mileage as a business trip that you used to do your personal errands?

What about calling in sick when you are not?

Someone with integrity must be able to hold themselves accountable. They must be able to look into the mirror and say to themselves I am doing the right thing, and it truly is!

I say that because there are some that will justify taking something at work because they feel their company has taken advantage of them in some way! It may even be true that their company did take advantage of them. This does not justify their actions!

What about accepting personal gifts from a vendor that provides all your company's supplies, where you are the approving official?

As you can see from all the above examples it is truly easy to cross the line, and in some cases even trying to find the line.

What is Integrity? I think you know! Even amongst the most honest individuals it can be a hard standard to live up to!

Why? Because we are humans and we tend to justify things to make our self feel better!

True integrity helps to keep ourselves in check!

Good Luck and thank you for reviewing this article on What is Integrity!

I know the authur personally and the course itself is a very popular course. So popular that he has come out with a second course Management By the Book II.

You will not be sorry and for the cost it is a great resource.

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