Definition of Integrity and other related information

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Definition of Integrity

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1. Soundness:

An opinion, argument, or reasoning free from flaw or defect. It is based on thorough knowledge, experience, and solid information.

2. Completeness:

All parts of thought, project, or action are carried out thoroughly. Nothing is left out that is needed.

3. Honesty:

It implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way. Tried and proven honesty or truthfulness is exhibited - even when personal loss could occur.

4. Honor:

It suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

5. Unwavering:

It implies trustworthiness and truthfulness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge.

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Importance of Integrity

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Integrity ranks as the one quality most sought by customers and business people. A company or individual who will deliver on what they say, will build confidence and satisfy customers. To carry out promises made requires commitment to the original goals and willingness to sacrifice in order to complete projects.

Likewise, integrity is the number one quality of leadership. Integrity in leadership implies a trust that is proven through time. Campaign promises are often spoken, but rare carried out. A person of integrity will put forth ideas that they truly believe in and understand. They will set aside their own personal agenda and tirelessly work to keep their word. The trust with those being led will grow in respect and appreciation.

Integrity is so important that functioning in our society would be impossible. It works in families, schools, churches, business, and government. It is an important quality that should be emphasized to children at an early age.

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Synonyms for Integrity

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• forthrightness, goodness, honesty, incorruptibility, incorruption, purity, righteousness, sincerity, straightforwardness, virtue
• entireness, perfection, purity, simplicity, soundness, stability, totality, wholeness
• adherence, conformity, consistency, continuity, correspondence, solidarity, tenacity
• abidingness, adherence, allegiance, ardor, certainty, dependability, devotion, earnestness, honesty, honor, trustworthy , truthfulness
• believability, reliability, soundness, validity
• accountability, faithfulness
• equitable, even-handedness, fair play, fair-mindedness, fairness, justice, justness, nonpartisanship, reasonableness, uprightness

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Antonyms for Integrity

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• corruption, disgrace, dishonesty, dishonor incompleteness
• disagreement, incoherence, incongruity, nonsense, unintelligibility
• change, changeableness, fluctuation, inconstancy, instability, irregularity, unsteadiness
• implausibility, improbability, unreasonableness
• faithlessness, inconstancy, treachery
• bias, inequity, partiality, unfairness, unjustness

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Examples of Integrity

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Example 1: Socrates was an exemplary example of integrity, for he placed his life at risk by refusing to carry out orders that were immoral. He was sentenced to die. Friends visited him in prison and planned an escape. But Socrates refused to flee, explaining that although the charges against him were unjust and bogus, they were made by a legitimate court and must therefore be obeyed.

Example 2: To remove any doubt of what it means to live with integrity, let me cite two more examples. After the U.S. Civil War, General Robert E. Lee (1807 ~ 1870) was offered $10,000 a year to become President, in name only, of an insurance company. He declined the offer with these words, "Excuse me, sir; I cannot consent to receive pay for services I do not render."

Example 3: Bobby Jones (1902 ~ 1971) was a lawyer and amateur golfer. He was also the first to achieve the Grand Slam - winning in a single year the four major tournaments. From 1923 through 1930 he won 13 championships in those four annual tournaments. In a national championship, he drove his ball into the woods, and accidentally nudged it. Although no one saw him move the ball, he penalized himself one stroke, which caused him to lose the game by that margin. When praised for his integrity, he said, "You might as well praise a man for not robbing a bank."

Example 4: Abe Lincoln was one of the most famous people who showed integrity. Once as a boy, he showed honesty by returning to a store that had given him too much change. Later, as a lawyer, he was firmly committed to the truth. He would not take a case unless he felt that the defendant was actually not guilty.

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Stories about Integrity

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His speech was carefully prepared. Every sentence was guarded and emphatic. It has since become famous as "The Divided House" speech. Before entering the hall where it was to be delivered, he stepped into the office of his law- partner, Mr. Herndon, and, locking the door, so that their interview might be private, took his manuscript from his pocket, and read one of the opening sentences: "I believe this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free."

Mr. Herndon remarked that the sentiment was true, but suggested that it might not be good policy to utter it at that time.

Mr. Lincoln replied with great firmness: "No matter about the policy. It is true, and the nation is entitled to it. The proposition has been true for six thousand years, and I will deliver it as it is written."

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"Are you on the Notre Dame football team this year?" the judge asked.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"What position?"

"Center, Your Honor."

"How good a center?"

Szymanski squirmed in his seat, but said firmly: "Sir, I'm the best center Notre Dame has ever had."

Coach Frank Leahy, who was in the courtroom, was surprised. Szymanski always had been modest and unassuming. So when the proceedings were over, he took Szymanski aside and asked why he had made such a statement. Szymanski blushed.

"I hated to do it, Coach," he said. "But, after all, I was under oath."

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Quotes about Integrity

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“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” -- W. Clement Stone

“There can be no friendship without confidence; and no confidence, without integrity” -- Author Unknown

“Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won't cheat, then you know he never will.” -- John D. MacDonald "We need to stress that personal integrity is as important as executive skill in business dealings....Setting an example from the top has a ripple effect throughout a business school or a corporation. After nearly three decades in business, 10 years as chief executive of a Big Eight accounting firm, I have learned that the standards set at the top filter throughout a company"

— - Russell E. Palmer

"If we believe a thing to be bad, and if we have a right to prevent it, it is our duty to try to prevent it and damn the consequences."

— - Lord Milner

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you."

— - Warren Buffet CEO, Berkshire Hathaway

"The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way you can make a man trustworthy is by trusting him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust."

— - Henry L. Stimson Former U.S. Secretary of State

"Trust is rebuilt by focusing not on what the other person did or did not do but on critiquing one's own behavior, improving one's trustworthiness, and focusing attention not on words and promises but on actions, attitudes, and ways of being."

— - Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith The Art of Waking People Up

"A person who is fundamentally honest doesn't need a code of ethics. The Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount are all the ethical code anybody needs."

— Harry S. Truman

"There are seven things that will destroy us: Wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; Knowledge without character; Religion without sacrifice; Politics without principle; Science without humanity; Business without ethics."

— Mahatma Gandhi

"In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousandfold in the future. When we neither punish nor reproach evildoers . . . we are ripping the foundations of justice from beneath new generations."

— Alexander Solzehnitsyn

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

— Mark Twain

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Traits similiar to Integrity

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Careful
Attentive to potential danger, error, or harm; cautious. Thorough and painstaking in action or execution; conscientious.

Cautious
React carefully and slowly to circumstances. Not quick to act without substantial information.

Conscientious
Characterized by extreme care and great effort. Exercising caution or showing care or attention. Guided by or in accordance with conscience or sense of right and wrong.

Considerate

Having or marked by regard for the needs or feelings of others. Having or showing a sense of what is fitting. Anticipate needs or wishes of others.

Courageous

implies consciously rising to a specific test by drawing on a reserve of inner strength. Fearless emphasizes absence of fear and resolute self-possession. Bold stresses readiness to meet danger or difficulty and often a tendency to seek it out. Dauntless refers to courage that resists subjection or intimidation.

Dependable

Worthy of reliance or trust. Trustworthy, believable. Able to overcome obstacles to get the expected results. Can be counted on for reliable information. Devote full strength and concentrated attention to issues. Does not easily yield to opposition. Strong desire to succeed.

Determination
Resolve to reach a conclusion. Defend under adverse circumstances.

Diligent
Active or sustained effort. Stays persistently dedicated to tasks at hand. Follows directions closely. Does not deviate from planned direction.

Fair

Free of favoritism or bias; impartial. In a dispute, is just to all parties. Gives out rewards according to what is earned. Follows the rules for the activity involved.

Faithful

Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal. A steadfast adherent of a faith or cause. Loyalty that is not easily deflected. Unshakable attachment or allegiance.

Honesty

Adherence to moral principles. Conformity to high standards of ethics or excellence. The quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech. Truthful.

Impartial
Not prejudiced towards or against any particular side or party; fair; unbiased. Treats everyone the same.

Persevering

Adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness. Continuing under difficult circumstances without interruption.

Reliable
This person is dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc.: will yield reliable information. They are able to be trusted; predictable.

Sincere

Does not put on false fronts; genuine. Being without hypocrisy or pretense; true to beliefs and people. Not deceptive or fraudulent. Concerned with work or important matters.

Tenacious
Will hold fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often fol. by of ): a tenacious grip on my arm. Persistent, stubborn, or obstinate. Holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough

Thorough

Painstakingly accurate or careful. Exhaustively complete. Exercising caution or showing care or attention. Covering every component or step.

Trustworthy

Worthy of reliance or trust. Steadfast in affection or allegiance. Worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust. Not disposed to cheat or defraud.

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How to build Integrity

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Learning integrity starts with childhood. Parents that teach this will help their children be successful in working with people and getting things done correctly. A key aspect of integrite is truthfulness. Kids should be taught that telling the truth is not instantly a painful experience. They need to opportunity to share their heart without being jumped on or being immediately punished. They need to be comfortable saying unpopular things and be given the opportunity to say what is on their heart.

Another aspect of integrity is tolerance. Children are often sheltered and feel that their own beliefs and lifestyles are the only way. It takes time and exposure accept others and allow them the freedom to be different. Then, later in life, they can then work with others who are different from them, but still maintain their own belief systems.

Setting a good example for your children is the best teacher for demonstrating integrity. Live your life out according to what you say. Don't be dishonest in dealing with others. Treat your family and others with respect and understanding. Be willing to sacrifice to meet your commitments.

In the working world and society in general, people are always looking for integrity. As an adult, it is never too late to improve in this area. Your reputation may be somewhat tarnished. People may not trust you entirely. Start now to change this perception. Here are steps to consider whether it is a relationship with a business or with a personal acquintance.

• Evaluate honestly where you are with the other person(s) or business relationships.
• Review what your standards and values. Are these clear to all those involved. Is there agreement?
• Do not compromise your beliefs. Stay confident in what you believe is true. Work respectfully with others within this framework. Clarify your beliefs to others.
• Learn from the mistakes of the past. Analyze what caused the lack of integrity. Listen to what others have to say about the situation. Honestly take responsibility for your failings.
• Decide what steps are necessary to heal the relationship.
• Determine to take these steps to restore confidence and trust.
• Seek help in building new skills necessary to turn the relationship around.
• Look for opportunities to reconnect in a positive way.

Leaving Integrity | Returning to Personality Types

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