By: Adrian Pantonial
In today’s world where media people make money spreading famous people’s blunders, image seems to be all that matters most. But someone’s moral or political failure may actually be traced to a character flaw – because someone failed to keep his integrity intact, it messed it all up.
In a society that puts a high premium on good looks, power dressing and materialism, keeping a consistently flawless integrity hardly has a place. Mostly everyone cares more about maintaining a fine reputation than minding about that thing which keeps a great person in the peak of success – character.
Talent, skills, and connection may take one to the top but only exceptional character keeps him there.
Character is power. It is developed when practiced daily and starts with small things. Character takes care of reputation. It glues our education and experiences together and exposes them in every situation we get involved in wherever we maybe.
Enduring multinational corporations have integrity as one of their core values. That’s also one thing truly successful people and great leaders have. Integrity is a character trait worth developing.
Factors affecting character are the following:
- Family
- Friends
- Education
- Experiences
- Environment
- Role models
- Personal Core Values
We cannot choose who becomes a part of our family but we can certainly choose what or who becomes a part of our lives in other given factors. Will you invest in what truly matters?
True character shows and gets tested in making decisions when no one is looking.
Nice post. Integrity really matters especially for bloggers/writers like us. Why do I say that? People come to us to sponsor us with goods, services and money in exchange for (sometimes) compromising our beliefs and standards. A friend of mine once told me that he won’t compromise his writings in exchange for a year supply of whatever they are offering that he doesn’t really believe in and noted that he’d rather pay for his food.
One friend complimented a certain weird unwearable outfit and me knowing my friend, I had to ask her, do you really think it’s a wonderful creation — she just looked at me with a grin. There, her integrity got compromised? For what?
I too sometimes don’t pay for my food — the restaurants that I really love and support with or without freebies. I only sign up for honest reviews though.I hope at one point, I haven’t had my integrity compromised.
Wow! You hit the nail in the head, Janis. Your story snippets are a very good examples on this topic. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I totally agree with this…Even the Bible mentioned “Integrity” many times. Here are some of my faves…
Proverbs 10:9
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 13:6
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
And my most loved…
Psalm 78:72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
For me is was David’s integrity that made Him a successful leader next to him being the man after God’s own heart.
INTEGRITY…simple word yet describes those who are great.