Integrity Matters

What is Integrity?

Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity refers to the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions.

Why Integrity Matters

Integrity is a key attribute of effective leaders and valuable employees.  Personally, I have strived to be a person of integrity, valuing it deeply.  However, there was a time in my career when I fell short of this ideal.  I felt terrible about it, and when my employer discovered my lack of  honesty, I was deeply embarrassed.  I was harsher on myself than he was, which was a powerful less in self-accountability.

At that time, after several years of positive performance, my employer was understandably disappointed.  We had a frank discussion about the situation, and he forgave me.  Although rebuilding trust to time, we eventually repaired our working relationship.

The Challenge of Maintaining Integrity

There have been other instances in my career where integrity was not valued.  For example, in my early days working at a fast-food restaurant as a teenager, I faced a challenge.  I had requested time off for finals week, but the scheduling manager put me on the schedule anyway.  When I explained the situation, she accused me of frequently asking for time off and threatened to fire me if I didn’t work.

Despite my efforts to clarify the situation, she was unwilling to listen.  I chose to resign on the spot, marking the only time I’ve ever quit a job without giving a proper two-week notice.  It was a situation where my integrity was not appreciated, but I felt it was necessary to stand by my principles.

Finding the Right Fit

Ultimately, only you can determine where your moral compass lies.  It’s crucial to be true to yourself, and if your values don’t align with your workplace, it might not be the right environment for you.  (Though, I still recommend providing proper notice when resigning – it’s better for your resume and maintains good work ethics!)

From my experience, while some individuals in a company might not respect integrity, most organizations do.  Your commitment to integrity will be noticed, even if it’s not always acknowledged directly!

Need Guidance

If you are interested in exploring your personal values, and how they align with your daily life, please contact Sams Fischer Professional Edge.  We’re here to help you navigate your journey.

Wishing you the best as you take your next steps toward having a Professional Edge.