The word "integrity" stems from the Latin adjective integer (whole, complete). In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. - Wikipedia
To
me integrity means having the guts to live what you believe. It means
not just taking the easy way out but being true to what you know is
right. Since different people have different ideas about what is
right, I guess that means that I could disagree with what a person believes but be able to admit that at least they behave with integrity
- living consistently within their own moral worldview.
Americans,
in general, (and perhaps people the world over) really hate hypocrisy.
We want you to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. There's nothing
worse than, for example, politicians who preach against gay rights, and
then get caught with male escorts. (Yes, that one seems to happen a
lot - like their real nature is fighting so hard with their public
persona there ends up being a blow up as the two cannot coexist in the
same body forever.)
It must be very difficult to
lead a double life like that. Many people have had to hide their true
selves to the world, for lots of different reasons. In fact, I would
posit that ALL of us hide our true selves to some degree or another.
Modesty and privacy are concepts that are very important in the
American ethos. We strongly feel that there are some things that are
personal and no body's business but our own and perhaps the people we
are closest to. Does it go against integrity to keep parts of your
life as private as possible? No, I don't think so. But if you really
have to hide important parts of your life (sexual preference,
religion, gender, some aspect of your family life) it can be
problematic and stressful.
Blogging puts me in the public eye, but I do reserve parts of my thoughts and behaviors quite private. One way I really stress integrity is in the workplace. I can recall one very pivotal time in my life when I saw something going on at a job that I knew was wrong but I did not say anything. That experience has haunted me ever since and I have been very careful to work for companies with professional workplaces and attitudes against sexual harrassment. And I am not afraid to speak up if I see something I think is wrong. Well maybe a little afraid but sometimes it has to be done. And sometimes you are the one who has to do it.
Going about your daily business with integrity is the best business insurance you will ever need.
