In leadership circles, we often hear about integrity. She is a woman of integrity. He conducts business with integrity. We hear this word so often and we know that it is innately valuable, that we don’t often stop to question or wonder – what exactly is integrity?
According to Merriam-Webster, integrity is:
- firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values; or
- the quality or state of being undivided or whole
When we think of a person of integrity, we often think of the first definition – of someone with strong character who acts in accordance with her principles. The second definition we often use to describe things, not people, such as the integrity of a building to describe its structural strength.
In my reading of The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, I fell in love with the authors’ definition of integrity because it looks at the integrity of a person in a way that is much more aligned to the second definition or the notion of “being whole,” of being complete.
Here are their three elements of integrity and my thoughts on each:
- Energy management – Don’t we all know what it feels like to be in the zone, to be in flow, to be playful and carefree and energetic! When we don’t feel this way, we’ve hit an integrity block. When you are in a leadership position – and people are turning to you for guidance and support – your energy is contagious. At one of my last jobs, my boss told me – I know from the moment you walk in the door if we are all going to have a good day or a bad day. Energy is contagious and it’s your number one asset as a leader.
- Congruence – this is about matching what’s on the inside with what’s on the outside. If we are fearful on the inside but super positive on the outside, we are depleting our energy. This doesn’t mean we have to run around and say that the sky is falling and express our fear in a dramatic way, but it does mean that we must find ways to express our emotions, beliefs, and stories in a way that is natural and keeps us in congruence. All of us can intuitively sense when someone is not in congruence or, in short, being fake.
- Alignment – this one is about purpose and directionality. I love the idea of being “on purpose” versus wandering around trying to discover your one sole purpose in life – that’s a tall order and prevents more people from simply aligning to what feels true and right for whichever moment in life one finds herself! Check out my friend Sarah Walton’s podcast – Game on Girlfriend – to learn more about this concept of living “on purpose” versus “finding your purpose”.
Imagine how amazing it feels to live with integrity. To have an unbroken flow of energy, to have congruence between what is experienced and what is expressed, and to have an alignment with our purpose. It sure feels like freedom to me!
I invite you to learn more about practicing integrity, as well as explore how to speak candidly and eliminate gossip in Episode 10 of The Soul Excellence Podcast.