Integrity Image Linda Elliott

For me, INTEGRITY IS AS SACRED AS THE HOLY GRAIL!  It is virtually unfathomable how a business can succeed for the long term if integrity is not an integral component of leadership.

What does “integrity” mean to you?  My definition consists of one word – HONESTY.  Of course, the ever-verbose yet ever-faithful Wikipedia expands on the definition:

Integrity is a personal choice, an uncompromising and predictably consistent commitment to honor moral, ethical, spiritual, and artistic values and principles.  It is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions.

The opposite of integrity is hypocrisy which is “the state of falsely claiming to possess virtuous characteristics that one lacks.  It involves deception of others and is thus a kind of lie.”  In our lifetime, a perfect example of a person known for his deception is Bernie Madoff.  He lived a rich and famous life for many years, but in the end his lack of integrity destroyed him and an untold number of other people.

Many may contend that integrity is not valued in our culture and has thus caused a decline in our society.  (I’m sure all of us can think of a few people to apply that statement to!)  Visionary JD Messinger states, “Personal integrity is very simply when individuals say what they mean, mean what they say, and do what they say they will do.”  He believes there is a total collapse of integrity because of one major reason – fear of being candid, transparent, held accountable, truthful, or responsible.  People can’t say what they mean if they don’t know what their standards are; they can’t mean what they say if they are not in touch with their heart; and they cannot do what they say if their minds are confused and scattered.

All of us are blessed with moral principles.  Innately we know the difference between right and wrong.  But, are we aligned with those principles or are we living by double standards?  We must examine our beliefs and value system, and take conscious steps to behave in ways that are consistent with our personal moral codes.  Here are 10 steps that you AND I can follow:

  1. Identify aspects of behavior that require change.
  2. Determine reasons for not behaving with greater personal integrity.
  3. Face the obstacles that cause us to misrepresent ourselves or violate our moral code.
  4. Practice truthfulness.
  5. Make a list of tasks and behaviors in which we will become more trustworthy.
  6. Respect the property of others.
  7. Listen to and respect the opinions and decisions of others.
  8. Help others in need.
  9. Assess our progress.
  10. Enlist the help of others.

Now for my examples:

Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, Inaugural and Current President of Texas A&M University San Antonio.  She offers hope and inspiration to both children and adults.  Maria literally walks her talk.  Having grown up in a loving but poor family, college was not even a consideration.  She was to get married and have children, which she did.  And then she became a single mother with two young children to raise, earning a minimum wage.  Upon encouragement from a valued mentor, Maria went to college, earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.  Maria’s integrity and passion to help others aspire to achieve more will change ordinary lives into extraordinary ones.  She is a beautiful woman both inside and out.

I asked a number of people who they thought of when it comes to integrity.  The #1 answer was David Robinson.  How can anybody dispute that fact?  He all but put the Spurs on the map, and the integrity he demonstrated throughout his basketball career helped mold the Spurs.  David continues to inspire both spiritually and morally.  Robinson was quick to remind the Spurs that “winning a championship doesn’t make you a better person.  It doesn’t validate you.”  He was and remains a true championship through and through to this day.  David Robinson

Lastly, I can’t end this writing without mentioning the one person who, in my world, possessed more integrity that anybody I have ever known.  It is my father, James F. Elliott, who died on August 5, 1987.  He was buried on August 10, the day he would have turned 62 years old.  I shall never forget the minister saying at his funeral that, “Jim Elliott has accomplished all that God intended for him to do on earth, and now God needs him elsewhere to continue to spread his good.”   In his profession of insurance, the greatest tribute was given him by creating an award in his name.  The James F. Elliott Award recognizes “an outstanding insurance professional who exemplifies high ideals and professionalism.”  Indeed, this world is a better place because of my dad.  He is my role model in life!

I challenge you to identify people whom you believe are living life built upon their integrity.  These are the people you should embrace as friends and mentors.