How to live with integrity

Integrity is consistency between one’s words and one’s actions. When a person behaves according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold, they are said to have integrity. But how can you achieve this?

Values are traits or qualities that are considered worthwhile; they represent your highest priorities and deeply held driving forces.

Value statements are grounded in values and define how people want to behave with each other. Value statements describe actions which are the living enactment of the fundamental values held by most individuals.

Everyone has personal values, even if they don’t realize it. Your values are made up of the following factors:

> Social
> Economic
> Personal
> Religious
> Political

Once defined, values impact every aspect of your life.

> You demonstrate and model your values in action in your personal and work behaviors, decision making, contribution, and interpersonal interaction.
> You use your values to make decisions about priorities in your daily work and home life.
> Your goals and life purpose are grounded in your values.

Personal values are implicitly related to choice; they guide decisions by allowing for an individual’s choices to be compared to each choice’s associated values. Knowing your values helps you:

> Follow a clear set of rules and guidelines for your actions. You’re less likely to take the easy way out or chase after short-term gains at the expense of your long-term goals.
> Make good decisions. You quickly know what are good choices for you and what are not.
> Find compatible people, places, and things that support your way of living.
> Live with integrity. Integrity in the application of values refers to its continuity; persons have integrity if they apply their values appropriately regardless of arguments or negative reinforcement from others.

Choose the values that are most important to you, the values you believe in and that define your character. Then live them visibly every day at work and at home. Living your values is one of the most powerful tools available to you to help you be the person you want to be, to help you accomplish your goals and dreams, and to help you lead and influence others.

The following are examples of values. You might use these as the starting point for thinking about and articulating your values as a human being.

Wisdom and Knowledge (strengths that involve the acquisition and use of knowledge)

> creativity (personified for example by Albert Einstein)
> curiosity (personified for example by John C. Lilly)
open-mindedness (personified for example by William James)
> love of learning (personified for example by Benjamin Franklin)
> perspective and wisdom (personified for example by Ann Landers): the coordination of “knowledge and experience” and “its deliberate use to improve wellbeing.” Many, but not all, studies find that adults’ self-ratings of perspective/wisdom do not depend on age. This stands in contrast to the popular notion that wisdom increases with age.

Courage (strengths that allow one to accomplish goals in the face of opposition)

> bravery (personified for example by Ernest Shackleton)
> persistence (personified for example by John D. Rockefeller)
> integrity (personified for example by Sojourner Truth)
> vitality (personified for example by the Dalai Lama)

Humanity (strengths of tending and befriending others)

> love (personified for example by Romeo and Juliet)
> kindness (personified for example by Cicely Saunders)
> social intelligence (personified for example by Robert Kennedy

Justice (strengths that build healthy community)

> active citizenship / social responsibility / loyalty / teamwork (personified for example by Sam Nzima)
fairness (personified for example by Mohandas Gandhi)
> leadership

Temperance (strengths that protect against excess)

> forgiveness and mercy (personified for example by Kim Phuc)
> humility and modesty (personified for example by Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous)
> prudence (personified for example by Fred Soper)
self-regulation and self control (personified for example by Jerry Rice)

Transcendence (strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning)

> appreciation of beauty and appreciation of excellence (personified for example by Walt Whitman)
> gratitude (personified for example by G. K. Chesterton)
> hope (personified for example by Martin Luther King, Jr.)
> humor and playfulness (personified for example by Mark Twain)
> spirituality (personified for example by Albert Schweitzer)

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Best posts on rob-thompson.com from Nov 2008 | rob-thompson.com on November 17th, 2008

[...] How to live with integrity Posted on Monday, November 10th, 2008 in Personal Development – Comments: (0) Integrity is consistency between one’s words and one’s actions. When a person behaves according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold, they are said to have integrity. But how can you achieve this? photo credit: Rosa SayValues are traits or qualities that are considered worthwhile; they represent your highest priorities and deeply held driving forces.Value statements are grounded in values and define how people want to behave with each other. Value statements describe actions which are the living enactment of the fundamental values held by most individuals.Everyone has personal values, even if they don’t realize it. Your values are made up of the following factors:> Social> Economic> Personal> Religious> PoliticalOnce defined, values impact every aspect of your life. [...]

Good Deed: #36 Speak the truth | 1000 Good Deeds on September 28th, 2009

[...] 5. Make an intention to live with honesty and integrity.Integrity is consistency between one’s words and one’s actions. When a person behaves according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold, they are said to have integrity. Live with integrity [...]

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