 © iStockphoto Show Preserve your integrity. Many of us have to make decisions that define who we are and what we believe in. Most often, the choices we face may seem insignificant. But this doesn't mean that they're not important to us: even the smallest action can have an impact on our self-respect, our integrity, and, ultimately, our reputation. In a world where headlines are often dominated by people who make the wrong choices, people who make the right ones can seem to be rare. However, it feels good to live and work with integrity and, when we become known for this highly valued trait, our lives and our careers can flourish. In this article we'll examine what integrity is, and we'll see how we can develop it and preserve it by making the right choices in life. What Is Integrity?Integrity is a characteristic that many of us value in ourselves, and it's one we look for consistently in our leaders. But what does it really mean to have integrity? The Random House Dictionary defines integrity as:
Although the definition is sound, it can be a bit more complex to define integrity in our everyday lives. You could say that integrity is always doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, and even when the choice isn't easy. Or, you might see integrity as staying true to yourself and your word, even when you're faced with serious consequences for the choices that you're making. Alternatively, look at the second and third of these definitions. These were likely meant for structures, such as the integrity of a building. But we can just as easily apply this definition to ourselves. When we have integrity, we're whole and in perfect condition, and we're not compromised by awkward "inconsistencies." When we live our lives with integrity, it means that we're always honest, and we let our actions speak for who we are and what we believe in. Integrity is a choice we make, and it's a choice we must keep making, every moment of our lives. Why Is Integrity Important?There are several reasons why integrity is so important. First, living a life of integrity means that we never have to spend time or energy questioning ourselves. When we listen to our hearts and do the right thing, life becomes simple. Our life, and our actions, are open for everyone to see, and we don't have to worry about hiding anything. When we have integrity, we gain the trust of our leaders, our colleagues and our team. We're dependable, and, when we hold ourselves accountable for our actions, we become role models for others to follow. All of this, in turn, directly impacts our success in life. People who live and work with integrity are more likely to be considered for promotions. Why? Because integrity is a hallmark of ethical leadership – organizations want leaders that they can trust, and when you demonstrate integrity, you show everyone you can be trusted. How to Develop and Preserve IntegrityYour integrity is what determines your reputation, and, just as this proverb states, all it can take is a single bad choice to destroy a lifetime's worth of integrity. So, how can you work on developing and preserving your own integrity? Step 1: Define Your ValuesYou can't live by values if you don't know what you truly believe in. So, start by defining your core values. These are the values that, no matter what the consequence, you're not going to compromise on. Step 2: Analyze Every Choice You MakeOften, people cut corners or make bad choices when they think no one is watching. Having integrity means that, no matter what, you make the right choice – especially when no one is watching! You'll usually know what's right and wrong, although sometimes you might need some quiet time to figure it out. If you're not sure what the right choice is, ask yourself these two questions:
Remember, honesty and integrity aren't values that you should live by when it's convenient; they're values that you should live by all the time. This includes the big choices and the little choices – the choices everyone sees, and the choices that no one sees. Step 3: Encourage IntegrityPeople with integrity often have the same characteristics: they're humble, they have a strong sense of self, they have high self-esteem, and they're self-confident. These characteristics are important, because, sometimes, you'll be under intense pressure from others to make the wrong choice. Work on building and improving these characteristics within yourself, so that you have the strength and courage to do the right thing when the time comes. Build your self-confidence and self-esteem, and work on developing character. Spend time getting to know yourself, and what you believe in. Develop friendships and work relationships with others who demonstrate integrity, and who will support your decisions. Further Tips:
Having integrity means that you live in accordance to your deepest values, you're honest with everyone, and you always keep your word. Integrity is a highly valued trait, especially in leaders. When you live with integrity, you're more likely to be considered for important promotions and leadership positions. To develop and protect your integrity, start by identifying your core values. These are the values that you refuse to compromise on, no matter what. Next, analyze every choice you make to ensure that you're doing the right thing. Then, develop a culture of integrity around you, work on building your self-confidence and self-esteem, and develop relationships with others who live with integrity. Unit 8 Assignment Introduction Integrity should be used in making decisions in business. Integrity means making decisions based on moral soundness and honesty (Sherman, 2003). Using the eight steps outlined by Sherman (2003), using integrity to make decision will provide seamless integration. Analysis of Situation The situation that will be analyzed is that a business is not in compliance with new zoning laws. The law states that any out building be at least six feet away from property lines. The enclosure that houses the trash dumpster is only five feet away from the property line. The health inspector stated that he would be willing to approve this if the company caters the food for his department’s holiday party. Steps in Making an Ethical Decision Sherman (2003) states that there are eight steps to follow when using integrity to …show more content…Part of acting with integrity is to adhere by morals and values. If one of the company’s rules is to always do what’s right regardless of the implications, then the answer is black and white. Nature of the Party It does not make a difference that one of the parties is the government. Integrity is behaving according to one’s morals and values regardless of who, if anyone, is around. This means that the solution to this problem should be the same whether the problem is brought up by a level entry employee, or the government. Application with Your Organization The act of using integrity to solve business problems will affect the business and the employees. By using integrity, the business will be seen as a company who operates with honesty and respect. By allowing its employees to see upper management using integrity to solve problems instead of taking the easy way out, the employees will learn that the company values morals and values above money. It will also make it easier for employees to stand up for themselves in the case of a decision conflicting with their personal code of
Kara L. Morgan HON 401H Essay 2: November 6, 2015 Decision-Making with Integrity At some point in every leader’s experience there will arise a need to make a difficult decision. Perhaps it is in regard to personnel issues. Perhaps the consequences greatly affect many people. Perhaps the result will be unpopular with somebody involved. But while difficult decisions are the greatest challenge of leadership, they are also the greatest responsibility, whereas pleasing everyone is not. A leader can never guarantee a universally accepted solution, but s/he can promise to act according to a consistent set of ethics. These should be the driving factors in every decision, especially those under unfavorable circumstances. And the most relevant and imperative of such ethics are commitments to accountability, honesty, and impartiality. These are the elements that make up integrity. It is unreasonable to expect the perfectly steady operation of any team, but we can and should expect accountability in its personnel when issues do arise. Whether regarding mistakes made or personnel conflict resolution, it is the obligation of a leader in the interest of fairness to hold responsible the necessary parties. But most of all, this applies to the leader him/herself. No one is infallible, and sometimes even experts make mistakes. This is excusable as long as it is acknowledged openly and honestly, with clearly defined measures to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. Then corrective action must be followed through upon. To fail to properly address such an issue breeds distrust and discontent among a team; the leader must set an example by holding him/herself accountable. He/she is responsible for every decision s/he makes and must accept any and all consequences accordingly. Positions with great responsibility for making decisions also require great accountability. This is one of the greatest burdens of a leader. In order to be accountable, it is a fundamental requirement to be honest. Though sometimes difficult, it necessitates a great deal of honesty to assume responsibility for a decision, especially one that was unpopular. But it should also be the foundation of every decision as it is being made, not just acknowledging consequences. By maintaining openness to the decision-making process, a leader leaves him/herself available to input from subordinates, whom are likely to be most affected by the decision. They deserve to know the reasoning behind it and to know the full extent of options and outcomes. A leader maintains his/her right to exercise executive authority, but transparency is a value to which honest leaders adhere. It is a critical aspect of building trust among personnel, and the foundation of team cohesion. Finally, leaders must always operate with impartiality, especially when handling conflict resolution. Allowing biases to permeate a decision-making process or management strategy risks disharmony on a team. Decisions must be made objectively with the group’s best interest in mind. This requires careful consideration and open-mindedness, so only the most patient critical thinkers can successfully operate with complete impartiality. Personal emotions and preferences must be checked at the door. These three values are the core of a solid set of ethics focused on integrity. In my experiences, I always prioritize them when considering decisions that affect people whom I have been trusted to lead. At times it is difficult to adhere to such ethics, as it requires great patience—a virtue with which I struggle. But demonstrating self-control as a leader and communicating such a dedication to integrity only boosts one’s credibility. The only effective way to persuasively communicate these ethics is through actions. Whether as a leader or a subordinate, we are always scrutinized by our peers. When we hold ourselves accountable for our actions, we demonstrate modesty and solution-oriented critical thinking. By exercising honesty in all interactions, we set a standard for ourselves on which peers can depend. By being objective in decision-making, we show that we can be relied on not to allow partiality to cloud our judgment. And by acting on these ethics every day with every person with whom we interact for every circumstance, we build our credibility. Reputations are built by consistency. Being an effective leader is so much more than delegating work or even empowering subordinates. It requires much critical thinking to evaluate a problem and its options, risk-taking and transparency in reaching a solution, and responsibility in accepting the outcomes. They are the difficult decisions that require courage and confidence to face. But if we are consistent in our ethics, operating with accountability, honesty, and impartiality, a solution often becomes much clearer and our subordinates much more trusting. Strength as a leader is supported by these tools, and with them critical thinking becomes some “shades of gray” fewer. |
What is integrity in decision making?
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