DEFINITION OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
Demonstrates principled leadership and sound business ethics. Shows consistency among principles, values and behaviors. Builds trust with others through personal authenticity and follows through on commitments.
“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.” – Edward R. Murrow
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BEHAVIORS OF A LEADER WHO DEMONSTRATES HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
- Demonstrates honest and ethical behavior in all business transactions.
- Ensures that company/professional standards are maintained.
- Does not steal, plagiarize, or assign to self property or ideas of others or belonging to the organization.
- Keeps confidences.
- Is sincere. Characterized by truthful conduct.
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SHORT COURSE ON HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
A person’s actions are considered to be honest and have integrity (or equivalently “are ethical”) if they increase the creativity of at least one person, including the person acting, without limiting or diminishing the creativity of any person, including the person acting. There are several other ways of defining ethical conduct, see for instance this link or this one.
Communication is a key aspect of demonstrating Honesty and Integrity. Whether it is written, verbal, or non-verbal communication, it must reinforce the key behaviors listed above. Active listening is a vital attribute of people with high integrity (see references in this book).
Emotional Intelligence has emerged as an important measure of an individual’s ability to handle others and oneself in various situations of stress. Emotional intelligence, or EI is the ability to understand your own emotions and those of people around you. The concept of emotional intelligence, developed by Daniel Goleman, means you have a self-awareness that enables you to recognize feelings and helps you manage your emotions. Sometimes the term EQ for Emotional Quotient is used in place of EI. Read more at this link.
An ethical worksheet can help an employee (and especially leaders and CEOs) analyze a complex situation at work (through 8 questions) prior to taking action.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) places heavy penalties on individuals and organizations that violate ethical standards. Read about it at this link.
When it comes to ethics, International laws, standards, and mores differ from US practices. If you are embarking on an international assignment, or planning a joint business venture with an offshore company, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is especially relevant. This Act prohibits offering or giving anything of value to representatives of a foreign government or their families in order to influence decisions or obtain favorable treatment. Be aware that in certain countries, all payments, or gifts, are illegal. Read about it at this link.
Your values: Write down your values. Discuss them with family and team members as appropriate. Please note it is not acceptable to flaunt your religious beliefs in the guise of a code of conduct. You may not create a hostile environment for others by constantly talking about your religion, or religious values, or use the office environment for soliciting conversion of coworkers to your religion. The best way to influence your coworkers is by improving your own behavior to the point where it becomes a model for others.
Learn how to become an authentic leader (through our online subscription course). Beware of the pitfalls of self-deception .
Our subscription content offers brief courses on the following topics related to building your behaviors in Honesty and Integrity -
Appreciative inquiry
Building Trust
Ethical considerations in business
An intentional approach to business ethics
Integrity for sale!
Business ethics
Practical Ethics: 4 paths to greater virtue
Do profits and social responsibility mix?
Trust: The essential element in building outrageously successful relationships
Commitments
Stewardship and Service
Ethics equate to business success
Of Ambition misdirected
and dozens of additional modules to fit your specific needs.
