Why Integrity Is Important And Some Examples Of Integrity
- Integrity means being honest with yourself.
- Actions + Beliefs + Values = Integrity
- Integrity leads to high levels of self esteem and self respect!
Have you ever told yourself one thing, and then went on to do something else? If so, then chances are you lack integrity.
In case you don’t know what the meaning of integrity is, integrity simply means being honest with yourself. Or more specifically, doing what you say you are going to do, and believing in what you say you believe in.
For example, if you told someone that you value honesty in a person. But then became upset when they told you their honest opinion of you, that would be a lack of integrity.
Just like telling someone that you believe in treating everyone with respect, and then becoming angry at the sales clerk because they are taking too long with your shopping.
In both of these examples what you said you believed in, was different from what you actually did, and therefore you displayed a lack of personal integrity.
Honesty And Integrity
So the key components of integrity are honesty and congruency. When your actions are congruent (the same as) with your beliefs and values, then you have integrity. When they are not, you lack integrity.
Is there a difference between honesty and integrity? Well, yes and no. You can be honest and say what you believe in, but if you do not follow up your honesty with appropriate action, then you would display a lack of integrity.
For example, if someone asked you if helping homeless animals was a good thing, and you replied “yes, I believe all people should help animals find a home”.
But later you make no effort to help homeless animals when you had the chance to, then you would display a lack of integrity. So whilst you can have integrity with honesty, it is just as easy to lack integrity.
Integrity And Self Respect
So why is having integrity important anyway? I mean after all, if you tell yourself one thing and then go do another, you are only lying to yourself and most likely nobody will find out. So what’s the big deal?
Well the truth is, when you lie to yourself it is a big deal. When you justify lying to yourself by thinking that you are the only person who will know about the lie, you automatically imply that your judgment is unimportant and that only the judgment of others is what counts.
This results in a diminished sense of self respect and over time you will trust yourself less and less, and eventually not at all.
So in reality the only person you are deceiving, and ultimately harming, is yourself. A loss of personal integrity is therefore self invalidating, and a sign of a mind rejecting itself.
The Social Importance Of Integrity
This last point highlights the social importance of integrity. If you don’t respect yourself, and you can’t trust yourself, then how can you expect others trust or respect you?
Think about the people who you trust and respect. What do they have in common? Most likely they are people who do what they say, and say what they mean. In other words, they are congruent. They are people of integrity.
However, if you meet someone who tells you they will do one thing, then they either never do it, or do something else, how likely are you to trust that person? Probably not very much. This same effect of honesty and congruency that make up integrity, also applies to you.
So if you want to develop self respect and a trust in yourself, stop deceiving yourself thinking you are “getting away with it” because nobody knows your “little secret”.
In the end they will know your secret, because your body language will scream out loud that you lack self respect, and ultimately your actions will show that you can’t be trusted.
Be A Person Who Always Shows Integrity
So just remember, most of the issues of integrity you will face in life will be small. Such as saying you will do something for somebody, or saying you will give them something.
Whether or not you choose to be a person who shows integrity in these situations, may not seem like a big deal at the time.
But throughout your life they will have a cumulative effect, and so all of your actions, no matter how big or small, will ultimately affect your sense of self.
So from now on, make it your goal to be a person who shows integrity in all situations. If you say you are going to do something, make sure you do it.
Over time you will be rewarded with a greater sense of self respect and trust, not only from yourself, but also from others.
i would like a curent example of integrity
Being Honest With Yourself
http://www.eruptingmind.com/being-honest-with-yourself/
I wouldn’t trust a liar unless they had proof of what they are trying to proove.
Character is important… and integrity. What is a person,
a society, without moral fiber? Sad. Bad and Sad.
Honesty, purity, nobility, doing what is right, respecting
the rights of yourself, respecting other people, and
living out a standard of quality character, in words,
actions, thoughts, and even the heart. A person of good character has a beautiful heart, admits and changes when
they are wrong, they try to do the right things, they help to make America beautiful. They are a good example.
Saying one thing then doing another is hipocracy and has nothing to do with integrity. Intergity is doing the right thing. Saying that you are going to steal a car then not doing it is not lack of integrity. That actually shows you have interity because you didnt do it.
I take your point Erica, but it all depends on what your own moral values are.
If there are two thieves and they both decide to steal a car, but then one decides he doesn’t want to anymore, then to the other thief he has displayed a lack of integrity by not doing what he said he was going to do.
However to a person who is not a thief (such as yourself, or me) we have a different moral code, and so would view the situation in a different light.
So overall we can define integirty as sticking to your beliefs, your principles, your morals and then acting upon then.
Of course what these beliefs, principles or morals are will all depend on the type of person you are and what you consider to be socially acceptable which means integrity can mean different things for different people.
ok so the word integrity can mean 2 different things depending on if your a good or bad person? so confusing………….
Here is the dictionary definition of integrity
in·teg·ri·ty [in téggrətee]
noun
1. possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards
2. completeness: the state of being complete or undivided (formal)
the territorial integrity of the nation
3. wholeness: the state of being sound or undamaged (formal)
public confidence in the integrity of the voting process
So really its just being able to be honest with your self. Standing by what u have to say and going forth with it. Take some one who debates…….wouldn’t that be an ok example. They stand by what they are saying until its over. That cover possessing firm principles and with professional standards. Right?
If they are talking about something they believe in, or believe to be right, then yes they would be displaying integrity.