Category Archives: Integrity

Moral authority comes from following universal principles

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“Moral authority comes from following universal principles like honesty, integrity, and treating people with respect.”

—Stephen Covey, 20th century American educator, author, businessman, and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Etactics Inc

I looked up the definitions of Moral Authority and Power to see where and how they are being applied in our society.

Here is what I discovered:

Moral Authority is the influence one has based on ethical principles and character, allowing them to inspire or persuade others by appealing to what is right and good. It is internally generated, fragile, and most continuously earned through trust and authentic behavior.

Power, in contrast, often refers to the ability to enforce actions or decisions through formal authority or control over people and resources. It can be granted by position or title, and is more about control than influence.

While power can compel action, moral authority persuades through ethical appeal.

EXERCISE:

How do you react and respond to individuals with moral authority versus power in your personal and professional lives?

What approaches do you find work best to influence or persuade others to follow your lead?

In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities

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“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy — and if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”

—Warren Buffett, American businessman, investor, and philanthropist

Image from Amazon

Warren Buffett has a pretty good record as an investor over many decades. A critical aspect in selecting great companies is to invest in the character and capacities of their leaders.

Hiring super smart people with boundless energy is certainly important. Buffett is adamant that the linchpin quality for these companies and their leaders — especially during challenging times — is integrity.

Without honesty and consistent adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values, things eventually fall apart.

EXERCISE:

How important is integrity in your hiring decisions and in those with whom you work?

How do you demonstrate personal and professional integrity in your words and actions to be a sure-fire hire in your communities?

Consider reading the book Linchpin by Seth Godin for other ideas on this critical subject.

What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know

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“What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know, it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.”

—Mark Twain, pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens

Image from Unsplash by Roman Kraft

Where do you get your news about national and world events?

I asked my new AI App Perplexity for its response to the most objective and trusted news sources, and here are the results:

  • Associated Press: known for neutral language and fact-based reporting.
  • Reuters: Focuses on comprehensive unbiased coverage of global news.
  • BBC: offers balanced reporting with a broad range of topics
  • PBS Newshour: recognized for its factual reporting and public trust
  • The Weather Channel: Consistently ranked as the most trusted news source in the U.S.

EXERCISE:

In addition to the other go-to sources of news we often visit, how might adding a few of these outlets increase the journalistic integrity and minimize the bias we often receive?

Friday Review: Integrity

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Friday Review: Integrity

How do you define integrity in yourself and in others? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”

 

 

 

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

 

 

 

“You can lean over backwards so far that you can fall flat on your face.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You can lean over backwards so far that you can fall flat on your face.”

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“You can lean over backwards so far that you can fall flat on your face.”

—Ben H. Bagdkian, American educator and journalist

Image from Unsplash by Rarsai Chaikulngamdee

Are you a pushover? How often do you let others in your world take advantage of you?

Where have you become so flexible to the intentions and interests of others that you have lost your backbone and sense of self?

Let’s face it—It is impossible to get everyone to like us. If you have tried to do so by bending over backwards, accommodating what other want, you are destined to fall flat on your face or at least lose your way.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom in your world is it time to straighten and strengthen your backbone?

Where would a boost of personal integrity and resolve to live life on your terms have others look to you for leadership in your various communities?

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

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“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

—H. Jackson Brown Jr., Author of Life’s Little Instruction Book

Image from Unsplash by Edi Libedinsky

Everyone is watching! Your friends, colleagues, and especially your children are always keeping tabs on you. They don’t miss a trick.

What do they see and hear? How pleased would you be if you were forced to binge watch the last 24 hours of your life?

Over the past few months our two adult children have been our coaches and partners as we prepare to move from Michigan to Pennsylvania to be closer to family and friends. It is very gratifying to quietly sit back and see their generous examples of fairness, caring, and integrity coming back full circle.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways is your own good example the best coaching you can offer your children and others in your personal and professional communities?

FRIDAY REVIEW: INTEGRITY

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FRIDAY REVIEW: INTEGRITY

How do you define integrity in yourself and in others? Here are a few integrity-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

 

 

“Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.”

 

 

 

 

“Bad company corrupts good character.”

 

 

 

 

 

“What is the cost of not doing what you say?”

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“What is the cost of not doing what you say?”

—Author Unknown

What is your relationship to the character trait of integrity?

How do you relate to others who are more talk and less action?

To what degree can you be counted on in both good and challenging times?

What oaths, vows, promises, and other commitments have you made over the years in which your integrity was impeccable?

What has it cost you and those around you when your ratio of saying to doing exceeds the number one?

One place to look is in the area of trust and its impact on the important relationships in your life.

EXERCISE:

Please check out my Trust-o-Meter Assessment to explore potential ways you may wish to bolster your integrity and strengthen the trusting relationships you desire.

“Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”

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“Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”

—Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Marten Newhall

Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, and Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the principle author of the Declaration of Independence and a significant proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights.

Today’s quote points to the importance of personal character, honesty, and integrity in holding each other to the highest standards of personal conduct.

What might Jefferson think about our world today, where, for all intents and purposes, the world really is watching our every move?

EXERCISE:

How pleased and proud are you regarding your personal and professional conduct? Where is there room for higher standards you wish to live by and show the world?

“Bad company corrupts good character.”

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“Bad company corrupts good character.”

—Menander, 2nd Century BC Greek dramatist

Image created in Canva

Who have been the most influential people throughout your life, helping to shape your character?

Examine your most favorable and admirable traits to see when they were developed. What made you decide, intentionally or by default, to adopt your temperament, personality, and general approach to life?

On the flip side, what are some of your bad habits and less desirable character traits? What people or other factors influenced these qualities and behaviors to become your less than optimal self?

EXERCISE:

Take a good long and objective look at the company you keep. Where is it time for an upgrade? Where might you perhaps delete some viruses or other character software running in the background?