This is part of a series of postings reflecting on my experiences, using the US Army’s Core Values.
A soldier shows INTEGRITY by doing what is right - legally and morally. Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you.
There is an old saying, which I do not hear much today: YOUR WORD IS YOUR BOND. If you say that you will do something, it will be done. Over time, everyone will come to know it and you will earn their respect, admiration and most importantly TRUST.
However, in today’s modern business world, I hear this adage less and less, but more importantly, I see it less and less. There are lots of promises made (“I will get back to you.” Or “Put it in a one pager for me, so that I can review.”), but it seems that it is simply a way to deflect work, that they had no intention of spending the time on, all the while, making you feel good.
My question to you is: “Are you as good as your word, or is your word meaningless?