Individuals with integrity create an organization with integrity. To see how you re shaping up, ask yourself these questions:
1. Am I willing to say what I m thinking?
In a world of political correctness and office politics, many of us think things that we aren t willing to say. Perhaps we fear seeming prejudiced or giving an emotional, rather than a logical response. Speaking up doesn t have to mean getting in the other person s face, showing discourtesy, or rejecting opposing viewpoints. It does mean speaking for yourself when confident that your beliefs are logical and based in fact. Mr. Spock would have no problem with this approach.
2. Am I willing to risk being wrong?
This is a powerful question. As Buckminister Fuller said, "The moment of greatest integrity is when we realize we ve made a mistake." Whether at work or home, we carve out our positions, state our opinions, and hold on for dear life. Certainly our ego, and often our finances or position, depends on the accuracy of these positions, beliefs, etc. Who among us is truly "open"? Who is so confident that they re willing to say not only "That s a better idea!" but also "It looks like I was completely wrong!" Again, many of the same vulnerabilities and fears arise. Who among us is brave enough to move beyond our ego and search for the truth?
3. Do I want my child or someone else I love to do that? (If not, then why am I doing it?)
Many of us engage in habits that don t track with who we want to be. We view ourselves as healthy, yet eat like pigs and smoke like chimneys. We preach love and compassion toward others on Sundays, then yell at our subordinates or loved ones as if we re vomiting on them. We often justify such behavior by defining any conduct we can t seem to stop as an addiction or disability. And the beat goes on. Although a few people can kick their bad habits cold turkey, most of us need the equivalent of a 12-step recovery program - the least expensive and most effective way to regain personal integrity.
4. Does this conduct make me a better person?
The universe consists of opposing energies: Good vs. evil. Matter vs. anti-matter. Light vs. darkness. Ying vs. yang. It s the same with our lives. Our thoughts and actions either help us to become better people - or they do something else. They either increase our energy or suck it dry. They either nurture us or stress us. This means that there s an easy way to check whether your conduct has integrity. Ask yourself, "Does this make me a better person?" Is it nurturing or not? If you re confused, ask what would Jesus, Buddha, or Mohammed say? The answer should be obvious. The challenge is to make sure that we ask this question in the first place.
5. Am I leading by example?
You can t say one thing and then do something else. To act with integrity, you must "walk your talk." There are people whom you admire and emulate not because of what they said, but what they did or do. Jack Welsh once warned that if you state one thing in a corporate meeting and then do something else afterwards, "you re dead!" To lead by example, you need the integrity to do what you suggest that others do. In Good to Great, Jim Collins points out that most great CEOs are "humble," lead a balanced lifestyle, and are inclusive of the people around them. Just being in their presence makes others want to be better. That s leadership by example!
6. Am I taking 100% responsibility?
When things feel "unfair," is your first response to place blame? When someone else claims that you ve acted unfairly, do you first seek to justify your conduct? The only response with complete integrity is to ask, "Have I been 100% responsible under the circumstances? Have I trusted blindly, communicated poorly, or assumed too much? What do I need to learn so this won t happen again?" People and circumstances beyond our control will continue to challenge us. When we react with integrity, we focus on our responsibilities and stay "above the line" in the process.
Just asking these six powerful questions can change your life - and your company!
