Characteristics of Integrity

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

Proverbs 11:3 NIV

Like an unsound building, without integrity your foundation will crumble.

Integrity is a word that we toss around and aspire to, but we might not always know how to measure its effect on our daily behavior. Let's look at the definitions of the word:

"the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness."

"the state of being whole and undivided."

That second definition is intriguing to me. Normally when this definition is used it is in reference to a structure or territory. But if you consider your state at work, home or any of the places in between, are you "whole or divided?" And if you are divided, how does the separation happen?

When working with clients who are having conflicts or distress, our conversation typically goes back to core values. Core values are personal ethics or ideals that guide you when making decisions, building relationships or solving problems. For instance, if honesty is a core value, being encouraged to lie at work about results (for example) will create an inner conflict. Or if at your core is a belief in God and purpose for each life, an atmosphere that negates the existence of God and/or individual purpose will make it difficult for you to experience contentment. If we are forced to live in places or relationships that conflict with our core values, we will live in a lack of integrity -- we are divided and structurally unsound.

If you are experiencing conflict within yourself or with others, evaluate whether you are living with integrity to your core values. Here are four thoughts to help you determine if your "structural integrity" is sound:

Let us help you discover what's next!

1.      Integrity is guided by principles that can’t be seen with the naked eye. The values that aren't seen with human eyes determines the strength of what we do see. Are you making decisions based on what you know inside or what others see outside?

2.     Integrity will create conflict between people, organizations and group mindsets when core values are disregarded. Are you knowingly engaged in situations that violate your inner principles?

3.     Integrity is willing to say the hard, right thing for the greater good. Do you avoid saying telling the truth for fear of being disliked?

4.     Integrity applies accurate weights to each situation and doesn’t tip the scales in favor of a desired outcome. Have you found yourself changing the rules based on what others might think?

That's it; that's this Monday's post. Your integrity will lead you to not only do what is right, but to be whole and sound when you face conflict.

You are loved,

Michele