Integrity is one of those keywords that appear in all aspects of business, careers, and the overall job application process. Workers want to be people of integrity so that customers will be more likely to return to their service. Likewise, people want to work for those who are ethical. When your boss acts with integrity, the chances are that you are more likely to act kindly towards the people around you.
In fact, many pronounced leaders say that workers with integrity strengthen the foundations and morals of a business. People choose to work with companies with strong management teams. These valuable insights will enhance a business’s ability to attract clients, investors and high-value sponsors.
The Lost Art of Integrity
Leaders of integrity are a lost cause in most circumstances of marketing and business. Nowadays, no person can expect their company or dealer to keep their promises consistently. Companies deliver promises without avail, without even thinking that the buyer would probably just want the hard truth. Leaders with integrity should never hesitate to begin and end with the truth. Although it is the reality and we cannot expect everyone to be perfect, integrity is the most important principle of leadership as it demands truthfulness and honesty. Many companies and organizations fail because they overlook the bond of trust with their customers.
What is Integrity in the Workplace?
One of the most sought-after values that employers look for in potential employees is integrity. Integrity often is a core value to the operation of businesses. Acting with integrity means ensuring that every decision made is based on thoroughly ethical and moral principles. Trust, honour, and honesty are critical elements to the concept of integrity. Employees with integrity tend to speak the truth, are accountable and reliable, and treat coworkers, stakeholders and customers with respect. They will actively choose to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
In a work setting, integrity is one of the key principles for maintaining basic human decency and accountability. Entrepreneurs speak highly of having integrity in the workplace, one of the essentials for business in general. No one wants to involve themselves, much less invest their money into a business cheats or deceives its customers. Workplaces built on the basis of integrity will flourish amongst the weeds of scandalous competitors in the market. A company built on integrity will more than likely have employees who are dedicated to satisfying their clients. Profit margins made with trust and respect will then receive positive recognition.
How can you Encourage integrity in your workplace?
Despite being one of the essential elements of a good business, integrity is difficult to cultivate within an entire corporation. As humans, we tend to take the easy way out and avoid doing the difficult, but right thing. Studies have found that 95% of high school students have cheated on a test, claiming that they were just comparing answers or taking a quick peek to make sure that they were on the right track – despite defining cheating as bad behavior. All in all, they justified their cheating behaviour by classifying it as “no big deal”, or “not really cheating”. Of course, we’d be thinking that in an actual workplace, we would never resort to that dishonesty, but resisting from giving in to that temptation is easier said than done.
Some people may question what integrity in the workplace means. Essentially integrity is as defined by the dictionary:
“the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”
Clearly define what integrity means in your workplace. Let your employees know precisely what is expected from them in terms of honesty and being transparent about transactions with their clients. Morals vary from individual to individual, but placing specific yet clear guidelines that can be applied to different scenarios may help integrate integrity into the everyday activity of the business.
Being open with one another is an excellent way to build trust and confidence in the employee setting. Encourage free sharing in a non-judgemental environment. Any team building activity will encourage critical skills that help build confidence and trust in the workplace. Being deliberate with integrating good actions and habits will reflect itself in the real-life work environment.
Set consistent times for both employees and managers alike to take short and quick self-assessments on integrity and the workplace. In these surveys, people will have the opportunity to provide any personal feedback on how they view their actions and other actions in short periods, every 2-3 weeks or so. Of course, this should not be overdone. Instead, it should encourage people to reflect on, point out, and constructively criticize the way work conduct goes can help build a better work environment. Peers should be accountability partners.
Leading by example is key for any team leader, manager, or overarching authority figure. Practice every action that you preach. Always be honest with your employees, as well as yourself, and never hesitate to step in when you witness dishonest behaviour. If someone’s behaviour is less than favourable, speak firmly and inform them that their actions will not be tolerated. Integrity and credibility, while so crucial for the trust relationship in business, has so much more value in personal situations as well. Any relationship you are in should come with integrity and moral respect. Doing so will make others respond and conduct themselves better around you, as they know you uphold an ethical and honourable code.
