1. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool”. Proverbs 19:1
Integrity - Internet Research
by
Denford Kambarami
Contents
1.1
Integrity – Definitions ....................................................................................................................................2
1.2
Implications...................................................................................................................................................2
1.3
Integrity and character ..................................................................................................................................3
1.4
Learning Integrity ..........................................................................................................................................3
1.5
Life and Integrity ...........................................................................................................................................4
1.6
Lost Integrity Cases ......................................................................................................................................4
Integrity commits itself:

To character over personal gain
 To people over things
 To service over power
 To principle over convenience
 To the long view over the immediate.
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2. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool”. Proverbs 19:1
1.1 Integrity – Definitions
The deep commitment and quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and
outcomes
It is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes
A person who has integrity lives his or her values in relationships with coworkers, customers, and stakeholders
Integrity is a personal choice, an uncompromising and predictably consistent commitment to honor moral,
ethical, spiritual and artistic values and principles - Barbara Killinger
Mean what you say and keep your promises
Outward behavior that matches an inward standard - someone that not only talks the talk, but walks the walk
In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions
The standards of integrity involves regarding internal consistency as a virtue
Act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold.
Success will come and go, but integrity is forever - Amy Rees Anderson (Forbes contributor)
Integrity means doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances, whether or not anyone is watching
Building a reputation of integrity takes years, but it takes only a second to lose, so never allow yourself to ever
do anything that would damage your integrity
Ability to be trusted comes from integrity
profit in a network of people who trust you as a person of integrity is forever
The value of the trust others have in you is far beyond anything that can be measured
In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have
the first one, the other two will kill you – Warren Buffet
Lack of integrity will eventually catch up the beholder.
People of integrity avoids those who are not trustworthy
Integrity by association – surround yourself with people of integrity
Do what is right, let the consequence follow
1.2 Implications
Choosing the right, regardless of the consequence, is the hallmark of integrity
People who live with integrity are incorruptible and incapable of breaking the trust of those who have confided
in them
A value system's abstraction depth and range of applicable interaction may also function as significant factors
in identifying integrity due to their congruence or lack of congruence with observation.
A value system may evolve over time while retaining integrity if those who espouse the values account for
and resolve inconsistencies
An individual is said to possess the virtue of integrity if the individual's actions are based upon an internally
consistent framework of principles.
An individual must therefore be flexible and willing to adjust these values in order to maintain consistency
when these values are challenged
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3. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool”. Proverbs 19:1
An individual's value system provides a framework within which the individual acts in ways which are
consistent and expected. Integrity can be seen as the state or condition of having such a framework, and
acting congruently within the given framework.
They are principled and can be counted on to behave in honorable ways even when no one is watching.
The concept of integrity implies a wholeness, a comprehensive corpus of beliefs, often referred to as a
worldview. This concept of wholeness emphasizes honesty and authenticity, requiring that one act at all times
in accordance with the individual's chosen worldview.
In big ways and small ways, in visible or invisible situations, employees have the opportunity to demonstrate
their integrity - or lack of it - every day
1.3 Integrity and character
Character is grounded in integrity
Integrity is a way of being - put your money where your mouth is
The integrity is quality of a person’s character
No-one can force you to make a choice that you believe is wrong
People of integrity are deeply aware of themselves in relation to others (same trait as self-actualized people)
One must be honest, credible and completely trustworthy
A person with integrity doesn't twist facts for personal advantage, is willing to stand up for what is right, keeps
all promises, and can be counted on to always tell the truth
A person with integrity makes sound decisions, especially when faced with moments of indecision, temptation
and conflict
1.4 Learning Integrity
Establish a set of sound ethics policies (vision statement), integrate them into your personal lives,
communicate them broadly to all stakeholders, and make clear that you will not tolerate any deviation from
any of them. Then live by them. Commit yourself to honesty, reliability and confidentiality. Constantly look for
ways to lead, to take responsibility, and to do a better job as a leader
Seek the best for others - people with integrity ignore self-interest and personal gain, and reach out to do the
best for those they lead.
Practice good stewardship – people with integrity work to guard the resources of the group
Decide ahead of time that you don’t have time. Each day do what you should do before you do the things you
want to do
Encourage Integrity - People 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. Develop friendships and work
relationships with others who demonstrate integrity, and who will support your decisions.
Major in the minor things
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4. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool”. Proverbs 19:1
1.5 Life and Integrity
Job 5v27: God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.
Psalm 26v1: Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore
I shall not slide.
Proverbs 20:7: The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
"To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."
- William Shakespeare, 1564-1616
You do not wake up one morning a bad person. It happens by a thousand tiny surrenders of self-respect to
self-interest – American writer, Robert Brault
1.6 Lost Integrity Cases
Integrity is lost if you pretend to support a point of view but either don't care or are secretly opposed
A common integrity failure is agreeing with the boss in order to keep your job when you passionately believe
he's completely wrong
If you don’t know the truth, its absence can place you in bondage - Author Andy Andrews
Life coach Cheryl Richardson says that if you are not living with integrity, your goals become hard to reach,
you attract people that make you feel bad, and you lose your trust in yourself
References
https://www.google.com/#q=what+is+integrity Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amyanderson/2012/11/28/success-will-come-and-go-but-integrity-is-forever/
Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://humanresources.about.com/od/Trust/g/what-is-integrity.htm Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghanbiro/2012/09/30/are-you-a-character-based-leader/ Accessed 04-Mar2014
http://developandlead.com/category/develop-and-advance/integrity-character/ Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://leadonpurposeblog.com/2012/01/21/leadership-and-integrity/ Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://henrischauffler.com/?p=385 Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/integrity.htm Accessed 04-Mar-2014
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Live-with-Integrity-and-Live-Your-Best-Life/3 Accessed 04-Mar-2014
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