Integrity

What is Integrity?
1. Integrity is the quality or state where people hold themselves to a high moral standard. It’s the idea that you’ll still behave honestly and befittingly even if no one is watching you.
2. High integrity applies itself in the workplace through the business relationships with those team members around you. It means you embody ethical principles and a positive work environment among your colleagues, bosses, customers, vendors, etc.

Treat others how you would like them to treat you.

How to Demonstrate Integrity?

1. Respect
Respect comes from intent listening. You can show your care and concern by keeping an open heart and mind, giving the person in front of you the benefit of the doubt.

2. Accountability/Responsibility (Promise Keeping / Trustworthiness / Reliability)
When someone promises they’ll get something done, but they don’t, it shows a lack of integrity. This vicious cycle repeats itself several times before you regret asking for their help. To avoid this, give promises you know you can keep, and when you know you can’t, perhaps a simple email/phone call, be honest, and say why.

Accountability is an essential factor in having a job. No matter how simple your tasks seem, you are responsible for them alone. A lack of it is evident when you mindlessly carry out jobs or do not do them at all. This also shows how irresponsible you are and breaks the trust you’ve built with your colleagues and peers. Being responsible goes hand in hand with acting in a reliable and trustworthy manner. It tells your managers that they can entrust you with more responsibility if they ever need to. Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes. Most people just want honesty…”I’m sorry, I dropped the ball there. I’ll get it corrected.”

3. Put in the Hours
There’s an unspoken employee-employer agreement when it comes to working hours- 8 hours a day.  Doing what it takes to get the job done shows integrity. Some weeks it might take 35 hours, other weeks it may require 50 hours.

4. Deal with Conflict Properly
Work environments are never entirely free of conflict; the trick is knowing how to face, manage, and deal with it properly.
In other words, approach issues honestly, calmly, and respectfully. Figure out the root of the problem first, have open communication, listen to others, give positive criticism when necessary, and resolve the matter accordingly. Don’t be afraid to ask for help minimizing damages too. Too often we self-interpret what someone said or think they hear or might remember. Get the facts and figure out what the true issue is. That goes a long way to resolving conflict.

5. Be Willing to Do Hard Work
Another integrity in the workplace example is when you are on company time; you aren’t standing on the sidelines and ordering others to get the work done for you. Even those in powerful positions should know you lose your subordinate’s respect if you’re never willing to do some work yourself. A team leader with a bold attitude, strong work ethic, and who constantly shows initiative will thrive in any business. So, go into work with the willingness to buckle down and do whatever’s necessary to finish the job.

6. Be a Team Player
Successful companies don’t owe their accomplishments to one individual; they thrive because of the collective efforts of the entity and how it works as a team.
As part of a bigger team, whether in a senior position or not, you’re counted on to fully cooperate with your colleagues for the betterment of the business. Working towards one’s selfish gains isn’t up to integrity standards. As a conscientious employee, you should know how to work with and listen to others.