Integrity

Integrity

(This blog post is based on a workshop presentation I did at a recent College Student Leadership Development Retreat).

The world is in need of a different leadership approach today.  Pick up the paper or turn on the news you will find examples of: hostility, abandoned values, mistrust, deception, manipulation, approval addictions, aggressive and obstructionistic behavior, selfish interests, and exploitation to name a few.  These have become so commonplace today there is a growing sense that these are typical methods of operation.  A new leader is being called to meet the demands and needs we have today in society.  Leadership is a process of influence.  Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader (Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges: Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time).  This definition of leadership comes with a great responsibility!  Individuals with integrity seek the best investment of time, talents, and treasurers. To do less would be wasteful, foolish and irresponsible.

The cornerstone of leadership is integrity.  One definition of integrity is a firm adherence to a code of especially strict moral values; incorruptibility. Integrity means that a person’s behavior is consistent with espoused values, and the person is honest, ethical, and trustworthy. Integrity is a primary determinant of interpersonal trust.  Another definition defines it as an unimpaired condition, soundness.  And finally it is the quality or state of being complete or undivided, completeness; wholeness. 

Why take time to study integrity?  Integrity helps discern what fits into our identity.  People (Leaders) make decisions every day.  Integrity is a central leadership quality.

Understanding integrity stimulates personal reflection and growth.  Regardless of the setting or context integrity is acting the same way throughout.  Not changing to fit the context.

The moment you segment your life is the moment that you begin to sacrifice your integrity.  “I am going to be the same all the time no matter where I am at or who I am with.”  What you see is what you get.  The supreme quality for a leader is unquestionable integrity.  Our Integrity comes into play as we make decisions.  It frames our discernment.

Too often we are finding leaders who are willing to sacrifice their integrity for quick wins and easy successes.  One of the most difficult things about being a leader of integrity is watching others who often lack integrity get ahead.  There are times when you will have a colleague or another at work or in an organization who clearly uses others for their own personal gain.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9 (NIV))

No matter how enticing it may be; no matter how big the potential reward… It is critical to never relinquish or surrender your integrity for the promise of a quick win!  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16 (NIV)).

Integrity is the sum of your habits (Rick Warren).  What are your habits?  We are called to have a habit of excellence.  Excellence breeds character, and character breeds excellence (John Maxwell).  What does it mean to be called for excellence?  How are excellence and integrity related?

To answer this look no further than 2 Peter 1: 3-4, and 10 (NIV)…

3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.

Excellence is not Perfection.  Excellence is going beyond the normal.  Excellence will engage your gifts and magnify potential.  Do everything that you do with excellence and integrity.  In Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV) the Bible tells us:

9And this is my prayer: that your love         may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Psalm 15 (NIV):  is a Portrait of a Leader of Integrity.

1Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?

Who may live on your holy mountain?

2The one whose walk is blameless,

who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from their heart;

3whose tongue utters no slander,

who does no wrong to a neighbor,

and casts no slur on others;

4who despises a vile person

but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts,

and does not change their mind;

5who lends money to the poor without interest;

who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things

will never be shaken.

In verse 2 we see that the leader who possesses integrity, does what is right, and is honest and trustworthy.  In verse 3 the leader does not give into or spread gossip.  Verse 4 goes on to say that the leader speaks out against wrong, honors others who walk in truth, and keeps his/her word even when it may cost everything.  Verse 5 explains that the leader is not greedy to gain at the expense of others, does not take a bribe, and is strong and stable.

As leaders there may be significant challenges to integrity.  Attempts to merge seamlessly faith-based values, morals, ethics, and integrity into the workplace are often challenged as inappropriate, attempts at evangelization, or challenged by a business world that is often of the world.

15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.   17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

(1 John 2: 15-17 (NIV)).

Leaders are not perfect but we need our leaders to be whole.  God knows that as leaders we will not be perfect.  As leaders God wants us to be whole so that we can lead and guide others with integrity.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8 (NIV)).

Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6 (NIV)).  Jesus was the perfect role model for being a leader of integrity.  He did what He needed to do even when it meant that He would be hung on the cross.  “You are God’s representative and everything you do either honors and glorifies Him or it dishonors Him and doesn’t glorify Him” (Joyce Myer).

I Will Not be Moved - Natalie Grant