Introduction: Integrity is the cornerstone of unshakeable confidence, encapsulated by C.S. Lewis’s profound observation that integrity is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. In a world where promises are often fleeting, the value of integrity remains steadfast and immutable.
The Essence of Integrity: Integrity involves a consistent alignment between words and actions, forming the foundation of strong character. This alignment not only fosters honesty with others but also demands truthfulness with oneself, ensuring that our actions reflect our spoken commitments. And it requires acknowledgment of when we are out of integrity. Every broken promise or incomplete word, whether we are conscious of it or not, is an open tab in the ‘browser’ of our mind – leaching our self belief and will. Too many broken promises – and we can find that we have lost our sense of belief, and that’s where we can find that life becomes hard. We are disempowered.
How do we restore power? In fact, the true access to integrity is only by looking at where we are out of integrity – where have I not done the things I said I would do, where I have not honoured myself and my word to the best of my ability. Completing that inventory creates the ability to generate completion, and restore power within ourselves and it creates a starting point for our self belief to boot strap into a higher level.
Deepening the Connection: By ensuring that our actions consistently reflect our words, we strengthen our character and become individuals others can rely on – more crucially we become someone that we know we can rely on. This self belief is what leads to others counting on us. This reputation for reliability is pivotal in maintaining enduring relationships and navigating the challenges of life.
Integrity as Fact, Not Morality: Integrity also involves viewing our actions without a moral lens—simply acknowledging whether we have fulfilled our commitments or not. This perspective helps avoid self-judgment and focuses on practical outcomes and improvements.
Wholeness in Integrity: Integrity creates a sense of wholeness and oneness, where there is no separation between word, thought, and deed. This congruence ensures that we are whole in every action we undertake, enhancing our effectiveness and the functionality of our endeavours. Integrity makes things work. Organisations characterised by a high level of integrity operate with high trust, requiring fewer meetings, things get done and there’s a sense of vibrancy continuously present.
Commitment in Action: Incorporating daily tasks as commitments reinforces our integrity. Each fulfilled commitment, whether it’s a personal goal or a professional obligation, boosts our self-esteem and serves as a tangible reminder of our capacity to uphold our word. And acknowledging incomplete items at the end of the day frees us up holding the incompletions in our self.
Building Reliability: Developing a reputation for reliability through integrity opens doors to new opportunities. As Warren Buffett noted, it takes years to build a reputation but only moments to ruin it. Consistency in our integrity ensures that these opportunities are not only more frequent but also more fruitful.
The Path Forward: Starting with small, manageable daily commitments and treating them as non-negotiable parts of our day helps build a routine of integrity. These acts accumulate over time, creating a durable fabric of reliability and self-respect.
Conclusion: The journey to embody integrity is both challenging and rewarding. It not only paves the way for new opportunities but also fortifies our self-confidence, allowing us to meet challenges with the assurance of someone who truly knows their worth.
Reflecting on our daily actions, or sitting down and creating a list of incomplete promises helps us to identify areas where we can enhance our integrity. Commit to this journey today, and as we do, we’ll discover that the path to our dream life is paved with the promises we’ve kept.
