Integrity: How to Live in Accordance to your Deepest Values
Jul 27, 2023
Having integrity means living your values and maintaining hight standards of honesty and ethics at all times.
Integrity is a high valued trait. When you live with integrity act ethically, beyond reproach and you always do what’s right.
'If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” —Marcus Aurelius
It’s about being honest and walk the talk (keep your word and commitment and never make empty promises).
This also means being honest at all times and maintaining an authentic openness with other people about values, feelings and actions and treating people fairly, in general (regardless of the role in the organization or social status…). It is said that how we treat others is the true measure of our character.
Honesty and authenticity build trust and to this regard it is also very important to admit one’s mistakes and having the courage to stand up and confront unethical behavior in others and taking principled stands (even when unpopular).
On the other hand, people who are not living in accordance to their values usually haven’t sorted out their own opinions and feelings of what is right and what is wrong. They do what is immediately advantageous with little or no regard for ethics or consistent principles rather than what is right.
Lack of integrity translates into little independence of thought. People with no integrity tend to avoid to respond to the needs of the moment, are easily influenced by other people and usually do not challenge the way things are (even if they go against their established values).
The Cambridge Dictionary describes values as “the principles that help you to decide what is right and wrong, and how to act in various situations”. Values are super important and you should know yours well.
It is extremely important that you start clarifying your values and beliefs and the inner rules and principlesand use to make choices in your life.
As an exercise, write down your values and the principles you feel more strongly about.
- Identify your top values (choose at least 7)
- Select and prioritize your values from (1) the most to (7) the least important.
- Do a reality check. Sometimes the values we think we embrace are different from those we live. Some outside influence such as family, religion, employer maybe got us to living some “ideal” values rather than our deepest, actual values. To determine the difference, look at each value and question yourself: how much time do you spend each week to acquire or increase this value? Do the same with money. This may not be easy for intangible values but this exercise can help you define which of your values are ideal/actual.
- List your 7 actual values and keep them in a visible space.
- Then, explore whether your behavior is consistent with these values and principles (you can do it mentally or you may want to write a paragraph or two, exploring if you are living in accordance with your values/principles) and ask yourself what you need to do differently to live in integrity with your deepest values and beliefs.
- Values may change from time to time, review often.
Living with integrity means better decisions and relationships
“Make living your life with absolute integrity and kindness your first priority.” —Richard Carlson.
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