Integrity, Where Art Thou?

By John Nocero
JohnNocero@barberinstitute.org

Pick a scandal. Any scandal.

Volkswagen installs cheater software to circumvent emissions standards. The University of Louisville is investigating allegations into inappropriate contact between escorts and recruits. Fresno Unified High School could be facing a potential lawsuit after a teacher was arrested due to admitting involvement in a long, inappropriate relationship with a student. These are just from within the last month.

Integrity, where art thou?

Integrity means having a very strong moral or artistic code. Being incorruptible. Living one’s values in all relationships. Behaving in a way that is wholly congruent with your beliefs. Centering with honestly, trust, acting with honor and truthfulness. Integrity is a fundamental value. I pick my friends this way. I want principled, trustworthy and dependable people to surround me because they behave honorably, even when no one is observing them. Employers should see this value in all potential new hires.

If we believe something is, but we do not do it for whatever reason, we are violating our own integrity So what happens? Why, seemingly does a business, university or school need to defend themselves as noted above? Why do people deliberately make such self-sabotaging decisions? Dimes to donuts it was not their intent when they woke up today. In all likelihood, it began with a seemingly small decision that seemed inconsequential when it was made. But when a choice is made that does not coincide with your values, a chink slowly begins to form between your behavior and your self-image. Over time, this chink becomes larger and larger until it forms a gaping hole. Once a dishonest act is committed, you knowingly change your ethical standards.

If you want to maintain your integrity, abstinence of all that is dishonest is the only logical step.

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