Over the last several years I’ve read a few books on the importance of integrity. Stephen L. Carter believes integrity is one of the “pre-democratic virtues” that must be practiced if democracy is going to thrive. Henry Cloud writes that “integrity is the courage to meet the demands of reality. . . .” I believe most of us have witnessed first-hand what happens when people, from all walks of life, fail to practice integrity. Most everyone around them is affected:
It’s interesting how often the issue of integrity arises in our conversations about leadership. Many consider integrity to be the key to both success and significance.
Recently, I stumbled across a wonderful book by K.P. Yohannan called “Against the Wind: Finishing well in a World of Compromise.” The context of the book is taken from a series he taught in January 2002 to 500 in attendance at a conference for field leaders associated with the Gospel for Asia organization. The lessons are drawn from II Timothy. To illustrate the importance of integrity in our everyday lives, Yohannan shares the following:
In the American form of government, the most powerful and influential group of people next to the president is the Senate. I once heard the story of one particular senator who was known for being an honest and God-fearing politician. Everywhere he went, people would ask him why he was so different from most politicians, why he would not compromise and why he gave such high priority to living by principle. To answer their questions, he told the following story.
Recently, I stumbled across a wonderful book by K.P. Yohannan called “Against the Wind: Finishing well in a World of Compromise.” The context of the book is taken from a series he taught in January 2002 to 500 in attendance at a conference for field leaders associated with the Gospel for Asia organization. The lessons are drawn from II Timothy. To illustrate the importance of integrity in our everyday lives, Yohannan shares the following:
In the American form of government, the most powerful and influential group of people next to the president is the Senate. I once heard the story of one particular senator who was known for being an honest and God-fearing politician. Everywhere he went, people would ask him why he was so different from most politicians, why he would not compromise and why he gave such high priority to living by principle. To answer their questions, he told the following story.
One morning he and his father took their fishing poles and worms and started fishing on a lake. The guidelines that came with their license said that they could keep only the fish that were caught after noon (in the United States you must have a license to fish in the lakes).
For quite some time they patiently waited for a catch. Suddenly the boy felt a tug on his line. “Daddy, daddy,” he cried out, “fish!”
"What do you mean?”
“But, Daddy, nobody is here. We are the only people on this whole lake. Nobody will know!”
But his father stood strong. “Son, it is still five minutes before twelve. It is not yet noon.”
“Oh, Daddy, please!” the boy cried. “It’s only five minutes.
“My son, it may be only five minutes away, but I’m sorry. We cannot keep the fish.”
The father took the fish and threw it back into the lake.
This example of his father’s commitment to integrity, no matter how small or great the matter impacted the boy so significantly that it is what he attributed his success as a politician to. He says that to this day, he still hears the voice of his father reminding him of the importance of integrity, that regardless of who sees or knows, he will consistently choose to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.
Lesson drawn? Integrity is more caught than taught! (no pun intended) and generally, people of personal integrity are people of influence.
I have my own story. There was a time . . . when I was 12 . . . that I was short and chubby. (I know that must be hard to believe) So my mom would take me to a “husky” clothing store in Washington, D.C. (one hour away!) to shop for school clothes.
After arriving home after a shopping spree, mom checked the receipt contents only to discover she had not paid for my new belt ($2.00). The reason it cost so much was because it was 4 feet long. So, we jumped back in the car and drove all the way to “The Husky Store” to pay for the belt. The customer service people were amazed and thanked her profusely. As for me, lesson learned. Integrity is costly. It involves sacrifice and courage . . . and it can be counter-cultural (in a word of compromise!)
But it’s worth it, don’t you think? My mom and dad were people of integrity . . . and were admired by many. People of integrity are people of influence.
“No one who gives their best regrets it.” - George Halas
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