Absolute Integrity

By Kekeli Fortune

Integrity— you've known this word your entire life,. You have a fair idea, or even a detailed scheme of what people who claim to possess integrity should be doing; but what does integrity mean to you? What are the individual components of integrity? This is an article that seeks to elucidate integrity, it's features, and its importance.

One of the most important qualities a leader can have is integrity; since each one of us has the responsibility to lead ourselves to attain success, we all need to practice this virtue which is characterized by consistent honesty and devotion to personal or corporate beliefs and principles. It is however important to note that the meaning of integrity may vary in different contexts. For example, corporate integrity indicates a collection of principles and virtues that an organisation operates by on a daily basis.

Nevertheless, the focus of today's article is Individual integrity; this is the form of integrity that is seen in your character as an individual. Whether you are integritous or not can be clearly ascertained by how honest you are, how hardworking you are, and how consistent you are.

Your integrity is also verified by your work ethics and the attitude or demeanor with which you carry out your responsibilities. It is seen in your consistent decision to be transparent, kind and to live a life that is morally right.

Features of Integrity.

1. Integrity is characterized by the adherence to beliefs, virtues and morals. What it means is you are consistent with your words and your actions. It means that the support and dedication you have previously given to a particular moral virtue remains unchanging in what ever situation you might find yourself.

For instance, if you believe that earning money through hard work and financial intelligence in a manner that is morally right, is better than obtaining money through dishonorable means, you will always stick to this belief irrespective of the situation in which you find yourself. Hence you'll consistently choose to do what you believe to be right, and not what the current situation "demands".

Again, if you don't believe in excuses, and therefore rebuke people who are fond of making excuses for every fault, you shouldn't also be in the habit of justifying your wrongs. As a person of integrity, you should rather own your mistakes and be accountable for them. As a person of integrity, you always practice what you believe to be true and right.

2. Integrity is also characterized by adherence to what is known to be ethical. A person who has integrity understands the importance of being a moral member of the society; he attempts to fix the disparities between the different societal groups by doing what is accepted to be right in that society.

For example, a person who has integrity will perform his duties because that's what he is paid to do, and because that's what the society needs. He would not refuse to perform his duties because he hasn't been bribed, nor given any "parcels".

Benefits of Integrity.

1. Exhibiting attributes of integrity such as honesty and persistence, makes it easy for others to trust you and to vouch for your trustworthiness.

2. Also, making sure to always follow through on your promises and commitments conveys competence and good character; these attributes are valued in every organisation, so being known for them makes you a valued employee or employer.

3. The quality of integrity also ensures that we see personal and business goals to completion in a prompt and efficient manner.

4. A person of integrity is always respected and regarded in society.

5. Being integritous as an individual has the potential to improve the lives of others in society.

This article is just to remind you of the characteristics of being integritous, and to urge you to choose to have integrity by sticking to what you believe to be right, and choosing to do what society needs you to do. As I mentioned earlier, integrity is a vital quality needed to be a great leader (of yourself or of others), so aspire to be integritous.

Thank you!