Integrity and Leadership A life that changed a Nation ….

Integrity What does it mean?

Oxford English Dictionary, 5th Edition Definition of Integrity The condition of having no part or element taken away or lacking, undivided state; completeness The condition of not being marred or violated; unimpaired condition; original state; soundness Freedom from moral corruption; innocence, sinlessness. Soundness of moral principle; the character of uncorrupted virtue, honesty, sincerity © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Integrity is…

Integrity is… Do the right thing!

Integrity is when.. …you can be trusted to keep your promises.

So when we have integrity we: •Are authentic — conducting our lives in a way that is true to our values •Act consistently and avoid moral relativism •Take responsibility and “own” all of our feelings and behaviors •Do what we say we will do •Hold ourselves accountable

Contrast Between Ethics and Integrity Standards established by organizations or professional societies Codes or rules of conduct Written and shared with employees or members for compliance with those standards. A value or personal factor that enables a person to uphold ethical standards Integrity is honesty, truthfulness, consistency of words and actions, without compromise and the state of being complete or whole. What is Ethics What is Integrity © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Integrity Means You are your word. It defines how people view you. Extent of honoring your word = your level of integrity Your actions are aligned with your word Your actions create trust because you honor your word

Dimensions of Integrity Intrapersonal Integrity level you have with yourself Interpersonal Integrity level in relation to interactions with other people Organizational Integrity level regarding your interaction with the organization Your perceptions the organization’s level of integrity © C. Gray & Associates, LLC, 2011

Characteristics of Intrapersonal Integrity Take risks in order to do what you feel is right Stand for what you believe even when unpopular Follow through on your commitments Unwilling to compromise values for advancement Aware of your limitations Honor health and personal needs Note: These are some examples of characteristics © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Interpersonal Integrity Openness & Honesty with Others Transparency with Information Address Your Mistakes & Conflicts Vulnerability Clarify Expectations Accountability Keep Commitments and Deliver Results Note: These are some examples of characteristics © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Organizational Integrity Use of Resources “Fraud” Use of Time – Abuse or Excess Conflict of Interest Alignment with Vision & Mission Alignment with Policies & Procedures Commitment Level “Disengagement” Performance Note: These are some examples of characteristics © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

A Leader’s Integrity Builds Trust © C. Gray & Associates, LLC, 2011

Quote from Speed of Trust by Covey “What most people think about when they think about trust. Integrity means honesty. It’s integratedness. It’s walking the talk. It’s being congruent, inside and out. It’s having the courage to act in accordance with your values and beliefs. Interestingly, most massive violations of trust are violations of integrity.”

Integrity is Important because it: Sustains leaders who are continually challenged to compromise from internal and external pressure Enables a leader to hold firm to values and ethical standards Maintains consistency of action and values © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Integrity is Important because it: Allows leaders to behave according to what they profess to hold true Affects trust, dependability, respect, which influences interactions and access Preserves a leader or organization’s standing in the public and private arenas   © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Integrity Requires Doing what is right versus expedient & easy Making difficult decisions and acting on them Making adjustments based on the situation and the people Doing your best you with responsibilities Being accountable © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Ways to Maintain Integrity Be honest with yourself (Limits, Needs, Etc.) Communicate with Candor (Tell others what you need) Honor commitments Identify gaps between your word and actions Renegotiate when you can’t keep your word Apologize Restore integrity © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

CHARACTER IS WHAT WE DO WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING IT’S WHO WE ARE… AND WHO WE ARE DETERMINES WHAT WE DO

WHAT IS INTEGRITY. A firm adherence to the code of moral values WHAT IS INTEGRITY? A firm adherence to the code of moral values. The state of being complete or unified. Root word is “intact”-When a person have integrity, his words and deeds match up. It is not divided, it has no hidden agenda

PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE AND NOTHING TO FEAR!!! We are who we are, irregardless of where we are and who we’re with.

…the value we place on ourselves …the value we place on ourselves. It’s our ability to make and keep commitments to ourselves, to “walk our talk” …Your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will. You are a disciple, a follower of your deep values and their source. And you have the will, the integrity to subordinate your feelings, your impulses, your moods to those values. Stephen Covey

WE STRUGGLE DAILY WITH SITUATION THAT DEMANDS DECISION BETWEEN: 1 WE STRUGGLE DAILY WITH SITUATION THAT DEMANDS DECISION BETWEEN: 1.WHAT WE WANT TO DO and 2. WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO.

INTEGRITY DETERMINES WHAT WE CHOSE. INTEGRITY WILL NOT ALLOW OUR LIPS TO VIOLATE OUR HEARTS…

WHAT INTEGRITY DOES? OR THE VALUE OF INTEGRITY -INTEGRITY BUILDS TRUST -INTEGRITY HAS HIGH INFLUENCE VALUE -INTEGRITY FACILITATES HIGH STANDARDS -INTEGRITY RESULTS IN A SOLID REPUTATION NOT JUST IMAGE -INTEGRITY MEANS LIVING IT MYSELF FIRST BEFORE LEADING OTHERS. -INTEGRITY HELPS A LEADER TO BE CREDIBLE NOT JUST CLEVER

CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO KEEP OUR INTEGRITY INTACT. “THE MEASURE OF A MAN’S REAL CHARACTER IS WHAT HE WOULD DO IF HE WOULD NEVER BE FOUND OUT.” Macauley CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO KEEP OUR INTEGRITY INTACT. YOU WILL ONLY BECOME WHAT YOU ARE BECOMING RIGHT NOW…

“WHEN WEALTH IS LOST, NOTHING IS LOST “WHEN WEALTH IS LOST, NOTHING IS LOST. WHEN HEALTH IS LOST, SOMETHING IS LOST. BUT WHEN CHARACTER IS LOST, ALL IS LOST.”

INTEGRITY IN WORD 1. Say nothing for which you are not willing to accept full responsibility. Say nothing about an absent person which you would be unwilling to repeat in his presence.

INTEGRITY IN WORD 2. Beware of a compulsion always to comment or say something about matters under discussion. Be willing to delay your comments. You do not need to tell everything you know unless your information is essential to the discussion. Speak when your comments are needed; be silent when they will not be beneficial.

INTEGRITY IN WORD 3. Be positive in as many of your comments as possible. Avoid the reputation for being a negative person. 4. Express full and cordial credit to all those to whom you are indebted for ideas and help. 5. Avoid plagiarism in speaking or writing. 6. Do not assume the attitude of an authority in areas where your information, experience are incomplete.

INTEGRITY IN WORD 7. Be as careful and understanding in your remarks about others. 8. Be slow to give credence to negative reports and continue to believe the best as long as possible. 9. Never criticize the motives of others. You rarely can put yourself in their position and so fully understand their motivation. Always give the benefit of the doubt. Remember, you do not know the full motives.

INTEGRITY IN WORD 10. Be totally honest in intention in everything you say. 11. Be accurate in every reporting descriptions. Beware of over-generalization, understatement, or exaggeration. 12. All statements must be so fair, equitable, and uncolored in description that your comments could be repeated without hesitation regardless of whoever is present.

INTEGRITY IN WORD 13. Avoid statements which can be understood two ways. Avoid all duplicity; let your positions be clear-cut. If you change your position, say so, but beware of appearing to equivocate. Watch lest people feel they cannot depend on what you say.

INTEGRITY IN PERSONAL ETHICS Be an example in your person and home in cleanliness, and harmony. Be an example of consideration, fairness, sensitivity to the feelings and rights of others. Always show respect in all interpersonal relations. Be an example of gentleness and maturity in your reactions to the thoughtlessness, affronts, insults, opposition, and hostility of others. All must be responded to with forgiveness.

THOUGH YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND MAKE A BRAND NEW START, MY FRIEND THOUGH YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND MAKE A BRAND NEW START, MY FRIEND. ANYONE CAN START FROM NOW AND MAKE A BRAND NEW END…

Closing Thoughts © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Integrity Summary You are your word and it defines how others view you You are 100% responsible for your word When you function with integrity, unfinished business disappears Nobody ever achieves 100% integrity Become aware of areas to increase integrity © C. Gray & Associates, 2011

Integrity Is: Living with Integrity means continually striving to make all aspects of your life consistent with what you say. © C. Gray & Associates, 2011