Integrity is a core strength that is first and foremost important to any Military member or Veteran. A common definition for integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. This is something that as you've always heard applies whether you are alone or in a group. Being in the Military you have to rely on the soldier to your left or to your right to be a team player and to make the right decision is extremely important. The Military members are in situations that integrity can never be compromised. This is not always the case for the general population and we have all been susceptible to doing things we know take us out of our personal definition of integrity. In the news every day is a large corporation that had an integrity issue at the top and in some cases forced their employees to take actions not in line with their personal values taking them out of integrity.
"If you don't have integrity, you have nothing. You can't buy it. You can have all the money in the world, but if you are not a moral and ethical person, you really having nothing." - Henry Kravis
In the recent Presidential race we have seen where all parties have been called out for the lack of integrity or acting out of integrity to meet their own agendas. This is a critical strength as the leader of the free world and something that cannot be taken lightly.
Acting in integrity is also having the ability to be humble and a good team player no matter what. Sometimes people make decisions that are out of integrity just because they are not supportive of others leading or determining the appropriate course of action. They believe they are the one who should be in charge and making the decisions so they will attempt to do so at all costs.
There are many benefits to having integrity as core strength:
- You quickly become someone that others can trust and want to follow
- Great things are entrusted to you
- You will create strong interpersonal relationships amongst all levels of an organization and in your personal life
- You can feel good about your decisions no matter what
- You are seen as a role model for others
There are many situations in life that will tempt you to make decisions and take actions that are not in integrity such as finding a twenty dollar bill on the ground and not turning it in to a place for the person who lost it to find, turning away from a situation you know is bad even though you know it will have negative consequences for someone else because you don't want to get involved, not owning up to making the wrong decision because it's a hit to your ego, etc. This is where as humans we are put to a test to see what we will do, even if no one is watching. Your true integrity is defined by the choices you make when no one is around or aware of a particular situation.
Where does your integrity lie in these situations? Are you living up to the moral compass that as a Veteran is built in with true North being the way?
Landmark Life Coaching's Mission is to honorably and respectfully serve courageous groundbreakers and transitioning veterans to persevere in defining and executing their future by providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that honors their dedication and commitment. This will empower our clients to feel whole, honored, respected and fulfilled in defining and living their life purpose.
Veterans Coach/Speaker/Writer Dwayne.paro@landmarklifecoaching.com