By Birgit Zacher Hanson
You’re in the integrity business regardless of the industry you think you’re in and your success is determined by your reputation for making and keeping promises.
Despite its importance, integrity is most likely a blind-spot for you, not because you’re a bad person but because you haven’t been trained for it. Most people admit they could be better at time management and organization but few will actually say that they lack integrity. We tend to think that other people lack integrity, not ourselves!
Integrity has many dimensions but, to keep it simple, think of it as being true to your word or taking responsibility. How blind are people to integrity at work?
Consider these common utterances and then consider these alternative responses:
- “I was going to write the draft but instead I had to fix my printer problem.”
Sounds like a fact but is it really an excuse? Couldn’t you have found another computer to use?
Alternative: “I am sorry I didn’t finish the draft.”
- “I’m late because traffic was horrible.”
Sounds like something out of your control but couldn’t you have planned to leave earlier?
Alternative: “Sorry I am late.”
- “It’s not my fault.”
If the results you received were not what you expected, does it really matter whose fault it was?
Alternative: “I am disappointed I/we fell short. What can I/we do to accomplish what was expected?”
Can you perceive the difference between valued self-defense over integrity? People commonly (and unconsciously) use excuses to defend their innocence or cover up a lack of commitment and follow-through. Our natural tendency is to see when others drop the ball but not see when we are out of integrity. Think about it. If you were really committed, wouldn’t you find a way to be on time, do what you say, or at least renegotiate your commitments? Sure you would. If I gave you a million dollars to be on time, you would figure out a way to beat traffic. No doubt.
Yet, as a result of our lack of foresight, we think we can get away with the excuses when, in fact, other people see them exactly for what they are. What’s even worse, their esteem for us and trust in our word goes down. But not all is lost! Unlike the common belief that integrity is something you either have or don’t have, integrity happens by design. Anyone can live in integrity. The key is to honor your word at all times. If you make a commitment, follow through. If you are unable to do so, let the person know as soon as you know, apologize, and renegotiate your promise.
Most adults don’t like to be disappointed nor do they like to disappoint others. Often, they avoid making promises out of fear that something unpredictable might come up and as a result is beyond their control. On the other hand, they may overcommit because they don’t know how to say “No”. Both avoidance tactics result in breakdowns in trust and performance.
Lastly, always close the loop. Don’t be the kind of person who says “I will try” or “I will get back with you” and then not commit to a specific outcome or specific date. By leaving the loop open, you keep people hanging on. As a result, they can never develop confidence in knowing they can depend on you.
In the end, we must accept that life has a way of interfering with our plans and sometimes, regardless of how good our intentions are, we may not be able to fulfill a promise we made. However, we can always own up to our responsibilities and either make a new commitment or revoke a promise we made.
Acting with integrity and taking personal responsibility isn’t always easy or comfortable. But if you desire success in your life and business, it is important to take a close look at your integrity first then train your team on doing the same. Your customers will thank you and send you referrals over and over again.
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Birgit Zacher Hanson, Master Certified Coach, is a public speaker and the co-author of the best-selling book, Who Will Do What by When? You can contact her at bzh@headsupperformance.com or visit her website at www.headsupperformance.com.
