What is Integrity?
In a world full of moral failures, we've been hearing a lot about integrity recently (or rather the lack of integrity). So what does integrity really mean, anyway? The literal definition of integrity has to do with different things being interconnected. The opposite is the something dis-integrate, or fall apart. So who do we use this word to define character?
The link has to do with being the same person when others are watching and when nobody is watching. If those two are the same, you have integrity (doing what's right when nobody's watching). Most people are careful to do what's right when they're being watched, but perhaps not when they are not being watched.
There are two distinct components to doing what's right when nobody's watching. The first component is knowing what is in fact the right thing to do. This may often be easily achieved, but not necessarily. We cannot assume that people know what is the right thing to do unless they are told what to do and how to do it.
The second component of doing what's right when nobody's watching is that the person is committed to doing it. I've identified three types of motivations that people can have for doing a certain thing. As you read below, keep in mind that what we do is not necessarily as important as why we do it.
If you follow a rule out of a desire for integrity, you don't need to worry about the natural or punitive consequences. Sometimes, though, it's very tempting to cut a corner, so it's helpful to recall the reason that the rule exists (the natural consequence). Personally, I despise people whose only motivation to follow rules is the fear of the punitive consequence because it leads to the tendency to cut corners when nobody's watching.
Can you imagine a person who has no regard for integrity, punitive consequences, or natural consequences? I imagine that that person has trouble keeping a steady job, relationships, or even their home.
Doing the right thing may be costly, but it is priceless. It's always worth more than the effort you put into it.
The link has to do with being the same person when others are watching and when nobody is watching. If those two are the same, you have integrity (doing what's right when nobody's watching). Most people are careful to do what's right when they're being watched, but perhaps not when they are not being watched.
There are two distinct components to doing what's right when nobody's watching. The first component is knowing what is in fact the right thing to do. This may often be easily achieved, but not necessarily. We cannot assume that people know what is the right thing to do unless they are told what to do and how to do it.
The second component of doing what's right when nobody's watching is that the person is committed to doing it. I've identified three types of motivations that people can have for doing a certain thing. As you read below, keep in mind that what we do is not necessarily as important as why we do it.
- Fear of the natural consequence
- Fear of the punitive consequence
- Desire to live with integrity
If you follow a rule out of a desire for integrity, you don't need to worry about the natural or punitive consequences. Sometimes, though, it's very tempting to cut a corner, so it's helpful to recall the reason that the rule exists (the natural consequence). Personally, I despise people whose only motivation to follow rules is the fear of the punitive consequence because it leads to the tendency to cut corners when nobody's watching.
Can you imagine a person who has no regard for integrity, punitive consequences, or natural consequences? I imagine that that person has trouble keeping a steady job, relationships, or even their home.
Doing the right thing may be costly, but it is priceless. It's always worth more than the effort you put into it.
posted by Ben and Christina at
2:28 PM
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