Integrity is a word that stirs the emotional pot within many people. Some will straighten their shoulders and lift their chin. You will find they have a slight narrowing of their eyes as they immerse themselves in the depth of it’s meaning. Others roll their eyes, scoff at it and shake their head.  Dramatically different reactions and I have to ask myself why.

A few years ago I was working with a client who didn’t want to use the word integrity in his bio or website. His claim was that the word was overused and didn’t carry the punch he wanted. Now, I have to say this gave me pause to look further into his reasoning and as we talked I uncovered the real reason he didn’t want to use “Integrity” in his business.  Simply, when it came down to it – when push came to shove and when it was time to do the right thing – he didn’t have any.

“Integrity is your flag that you stake into the ground next to a line you will not cross.”

Integrity is defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” Morality is woven within our every thought – every action. So it is not something that we ‘do’ when we are in the spotlight or it’s not a claim that can be made only verbally.  Integrity is your flag that you stake into the ground next to a line you will not cross. Your flag is your symbol of value.

I’ll agree integrity isn’t just a word you can put down in your bio or proclaim on your website. It is something you must use in your everyday life. Integrity isn’t boastful. Integrity, like the wind, is seen by its action. And it is an action that creates a ripple effect.

As you consider what you want to fly on your flag and what you want the world to see, you must be prepared to back it up with your integrity. When you live with and within integrity, the world will notice, people will see.  Then you will be the one straightening your back and lifting your chin.