Integrity
•In Living a Life That Matters Rabbi Harold Kushner describes the kind of people who
are able to overcome the negativity in their lives as shalem, people who are “whole,
united within themselves, their internal conflicts ended.” Because of this, he says, they
are “persons of integrity.” Integrity, says Kushner, is a quality just as essential to human
well-being as is the pursuit of peace and justice.
–The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their
duplicity. (Prov. 11:3)
–Integrity brings
peace (i.e. a clear conscience) and marks the perfect man (Hebrew
Word: Tam = Man of Integrity) (Ps. 37:37, 1 Kings 9:4)
– The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him. (Prov.
20:7)
•Plato once said “I would rather that the whole world should be at odds with me, and
oppose me, than that I myself should be at odds with myself and contradict myself.”
•"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” -
Thomas Jefferson
Integrity - Example
•Cleveland Stroud had coached the Blue Collar Bulldogs for 18 years before his
basketball team made it to the championship. Stroud recalls that “it was a perfect night”
when they won. “A night you dream of”. He was carried around the gym on the shoulders
of his triumphant players and their proud parents. But the excitement was short lived.
Two months after the championship, during a routine grade check, Stroud discovered that
one player was academically ineligible. The player in question had only played 45
seconds in the regional qualifying tournament. Stroud says, “I thought it was all ruined. I
went through a phase where I was really depressed.” He struggled with what to do next.
Yet, his commitment to integrity led him to the right decision. “Winning is the most
important thing for any coach,” he said. “But your principals have to be higher that your
goals.” He reported the error to the league and the Bulldogs forfeited their trophy. When
the team lamented their loss in the locker room, he told them, “You’ve got to do what is
honest, what is right, and what the rules say. People forget the scores of basketball games,
but they don’t ever forget what your made of.”
•Kenneth Blanchard, the co-author of The Power of Ethical Management, puts it: “There
is no right way to do a wrong thing.” Blanchard says that if you have to cheat to win you
should think twice about the business you’re in.
•“The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity.” - Sales
Guru Zig Ziglar
•According to Michael Useem, Director of the Center for Leadership and Change
Management, Warren Buffett's “influence derives from his moral stature and integrity. In
the aftermath of scandals that have rocked U.S. companies in the past few years, it is
difficult to overemphasize the importance of ethics as a factor in leadership.” -Leadership
and Change: Becoming the Best: What You Can Learn from the 25 Most Influential
Leaders of Our Times , Knowledge @ Wharton Newsletter, Jan.28-Feb.4, 2004
Demonstrates respect
Preserves trust
Grace saves and undertakes our spiritual training (1 John 2:26, Heb. 13:9)