Life of Integrity

 

"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."
-W. Clement Stone

Webster's dictionary defines integrity as "a firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values." The synonym for integrity is honesty. So why does there seem to be a lack of it in business and around us in general? An article in the Executive Travel Skyguide entitled Leaders Wanted argues that "We are in an ethical crisis. Our capitalist system, which depends on checks and balances, is being tested by corruption, greed and manipulation."

In our society, competition and the wanton desire to get ahead of others tends to pull the worst out of some people. I certainly wouldn't label all businesses or business people out there as suffering from this culture. But the culture of dishonesty and immoral business behavior is not a 'business' climate but a 'personal' climate. It isn't your business place that causes you to lack integrity because YOU have a choice in how YOU conduct yourself.

An article called Importance of Integrity describes it this way. "Integrity is a value, like persistence, courage, and intelligence. It is your choice of values and resolution to live by those values that form your character and personality. And it is integrity that enhances all your other values. The quality of person you are is determined by how well you live up to the values that are most important to you. Integrity is the quality that locks in your values and causes you to live consistent with them."

Those people without integrity are eventually exposed. So search for integrity and apply it in all that you do in life. Do not be overcome by the short term and many times disasterous results of taking the 'low' road. You will be more successful in the long term. You will be more respected. And you will just be a better person.

Be the better person, have the better life within. Try to live a life of integrity and as always, stay inspired my friends.