-
5 Commitments for Integrity
"Integrity is not a 90 percent thing, not a 95 percent thing; either you have it or you don’t.”
Peter Scotese
“So (David) shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”
Psalm 78.72 NKJV
Peter Scotese
“So (David) shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”
Psalm 78.72 NKJV
__________________________
Of the 1300 senior executives who responded to a recent survey, 71% indicated that integrity is the human quality most necessary for enhancing an executive’s effectiveness. While it may be encouraging that integrity is recognized as an important value in business, it is certainly not as common nor as prevalent as we would like to see it. And sadly, religious and ministry circles are not exempt from this same reality.
Corporate scandals and leadership breakdowns have become so commonplace in recent ye
ars that we are no longer surprised when we read of politicians and interstate call girls or governors conducting extramarital international trysts. Integrity is no longer assumed and its deficiency has impacted trust, relationships and profits as it has threatened even the existence of corporations. Just ask Enron, Arthur Anderson or those that invested in them.
The dictionary defines integrity as being complete or undivided. So when a person has integrity, his actions match his words. His conduct is not characterized by duplicity or hypocrisy, but by an authentic and unified character. As leaders, we cannot impart that which we do not possess! We cannot expect integrity from colleagues, subordinates, friends or family members, if our lives are not characterized by the very same quality.
In a letter to the editors of Newsweek, U.S. Army Captain Andrew Entwistle wrote, “Integrity is like virginity — once you lose it, it’s gone for good…No officer should ever be in a position where he or she fears the truth.” Nor should any leader.
If integrity is to be the hallmark of our lives and our leadership, we need to make the following commitments:
ars that we are no longer surprised when we read of politicians and interstate call girls or governors conducting extramarital international trysts. Integrity is no longer assumed and its deficiency has impacted trust, relationships and profits as it has threatened even the existence of corporations. Just ask Enron, Arthur Anderson or those that invested in them. The dictionary defines integrity as being complete or undivided. So when a person has integrity, his actions match his words. His conduct is not characterized by duplicity or hypocrisy, but by an authentic and unified character. As leaders, we cannot impart that which we do not possess! We cannot expect integrity from colleagues, subordinates, friends or family members, if our lives are not characterized by the very same quality.
In a letter to the editors of Newsweek, U.S. Army Captain Andrew Entwistle wrote, “Integrity is like virginity — once you lose it, it’s gone for good…No officer should ever be in a position where he or she fears the truth.” Nor should any leader.
If integrity is to be the hallmark of our lives and our leadership, we need to make the following commitments:
1. I will practice what I preach
- No matter the circumstances, environment, location or challenge.
2. I will live what I teach
- Despite the difficulty, obstacles or complexity of the situation
3. I will be honest with others
- Whatever the cost or consequences; either to myself or my personal goals and agenda
4. I will put what is best for others ahead of what is best for me
- This is the very heartbeat of servant leadership
5. I will be transparent, authentic and vulnerable
- This is genuine integrity on display
King David, a man after God’s own heart, recognized the significance and magnitude of integrity when he wrote in Psalm 26.11, “But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me.”
If our lives are to impact others with the life-changing message of the gospel, integrity will characterize our conduct. You and your message are one. Let’s commit to speak (and live) with absolute unity!
If our lives are to impact others with the life-changing message of the gospel, integrity will characterize our conduct. You and your message are one. Let’s commit to speak (and live) with absolute unity!
Stay the Course,
Greg Morris
Gregory K. Morris, Ph.D., as the founder and president of Leadership Dynamics, a non-profit corporation committed to the training and development of Christian leaders and their organizations, is available for new clients. He has authored In Pursuit of Leadership, a study of leadership principles in the life of Moses. For more information, visit LeadershipDynamics.org or his blog at LeadershipDynamics.wordpress.com
Blogs
User Comments
Latest posts by Greg Morris
Greg Morris
Gregory K. Morris, Ph.D., is the founder and president of Leadership Dynamics, a non-profit corporation committed to the training and development of Christian leaders and their organizations and is available for new clients. He has authored the book, In Pursuit of Leadership, a study of leadership principles in the life of Moses.
