In his new book, The Leadership Crisis And The Free Market Cure, John Allison defines Integrity as, “the harmony of mind and body” and says that, as a principle, it “guides us to act consistently with our beliefs.”
After a brief but brilliant explanation regarding how one cannot act with integrity if one’s values are either contradictory or not aligned with reality, the former BB&T CEO, now CEO of the libertarian think tank, Cato Institute made what I felt was another profound point:
“Many people view integrity as some form of duty. Integrity is not a duty. It is a means to improve the probability of being successful and happy.”
I find that statement to be powerful because if one displays integrity simply out of obligation to others, he or she cannot truly be happy. It’s only when one lives in integrity because it is congruent with their own values and how they wish to relate to the world that it can lead to happiness and personal fulfillment.
The extra benefit to living with integrity is that others respect you; they trust you more…and are more likely to want to be in relationship with you.
Mr. Allison’s teaching reminded me of wisdom from another person I also greatly admire, the late, Harry Browne.
Mr. Browne, whose classic on sales is – like Mr. Allison’s book on leadership as well as a recently-reviewed book by Russ Roberts — a spectacular treatise on understanding human nature wrote:
“Honesty is not a self-denying virtue. It’s one of the greatest assets a salesperson can have.”
There are two parts to this, as well. First, you are honest not for the sake of others (though, that is also very important) but because it is congruent with your personal value system. This allows you to be happy. And, in the end, happiness is what we as human beings ultimately desire.
The additional benefit to being an honest salesperson is the degree of trust you earn from your prospective and current customers and clients. This results in their gladly buying from you and just as enthusiastically referring you to others.
Yes, living with integrity and honesty certainly makes you more valuable to those whose lives you touch and influence. It affects you, however, on a much deeper level.
Because, when it comes right down to it…
It allows you to genuinely feel good about yourself and live with a sense of joy, peace of mind, and happiness.
Your thoughts?
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The older I get, the more I realize how true this is – on every level. Thanks for summing this up perfectly.
Stephen, thank YOU. I appreciate your kind feedback!
Integrity steers my ship – in business and in life. I can hold my head high when I know I have done and said all that I promised I would. Being in alignment with the best I can deliver, continually improves my life and my work. Thank you Bob for the great post!
Anita: Right on! And, thank you for your kind words!
I wholeheartedly agree Bob!
Although I confess, neither of us can possibly take into account any and all circumstances under the sun at the moment! (grins)
In my own life, one of the things I had to wrestle with was learning the difference between living true to a tradition or being HONEST. There’s a huge difference between the two and sometimes people miss this one for YEARS if not their entire life.
Sometimes we simply don’t have enough information or experience or make certain decisions. At other times, our values may shift and change depending on life seasons and circumstances.
The problem lies not in the fact that things really do CHANGE for us over time, it’s that many haven’t learned to be HONEST in the midst of these changes. And this is what sets each of us up for cracks in our integrity and various deceptions.
If we ‘could’ be honest every step of the way with ourselves and in our various relationships, the less ‘change’ takes any of us by surprise. Instead of doing what many do by hiding the truth and trying to live up to externals.
Thanks for sharing Bob!
Samantha: Thank you for your feedback and for your comments. While, of course, I cannot answer your concerns specifically because I don’t know the context, much of it might make sense when you take into consideration the first part of the second paragraph in the post: “After a brief but brilliant explanation regarding how one cannot act with integrity if one’s values are either contradictory or not aligned with reality…”
Mr. Allison’s point places everything else within that context. And, being honest with oneself (which you mentioned above in your excellent 6th paragraph) absolutely IS key to a life of integrity, happiness and peace of mind. If we’re not dealing with reality (even if that reality is inconvenient) we cannot possibly be in integrity.
Thank YOU for sharing, Samantha!
Yes Bob. Context could be ANY situation where a person would rather live a lie than be honest. This covers the gamut in life….
~Someone who is terrified of revealing sexual preference
~People who aren’t happy in their marriages but rather than risk the temporary discomfort of honesty, they’ll either have an affair or checkout of the marriage in some other fashion without actually physically LEAVING the marriage.
~Two co-dependent friends who actually have outgrown one another, may unfortunately be at a place where they can’t STAND each other, but they’ll be ‘nice’ and continue to not be honest because ‘god forbid’ they couldn’t HANDLE it if they knew the truth! But to everyone else…I can’t STAND so and so! (grins)
~To something as more simple as a job we can’t stand but feel stuck in because it’s paying the bills but everyone including the boss knows we don’t WANT to be there anymore.
Things like that.
Thanks Bob! xo
♥…as I Contemplate the ideas of Honesty & Integrity submitted above, what comes to mind is how when we Emanate from Love & Abundance, Life is Holistically congruent, and when we come from scarcity & fear, there is no integrity or honesty…feel me?
Tony: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. That certainly makes a lot of sense!
Integrity and honesty – is it possible to demonstrate one without the other? If one is being dishonest, there is no integrity and if one has no integrity, honesty is not available to them. The two must go hand in hand. A person’s character will determine the degree to which a person sustains a high level of integrity and the ability to be honest in all situations.
Chuck: Thank you. And, indeed, there are a number of character traits that Mr. Allison discusses in his fantastic book that must all work together in an integrated manner in order for one to be productive, successful and happy. Thank you for joining the discussion!
Hi Bob! Glad you wrote about this. It’s a reminder that integrity is essential to peace. One may be successful, but without integrity, that’s damaging to the mind, body and soul. Sure, people make mistakes. To lie blatantly though, or be deceitful in order to gain, is a shame.
Jeannie: Thank you for your feedback. Yes, integrity is indeed essential to one’s sense of inner peace, isn’t it? I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us!