Integrity

As defined by Merriam-Webster: "The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness."

Integrity is a powerful quality.  I argue we're born with it. With some, it gets whittled away little by little to nothing. With others, it is the one thing that is consistent throughout their lives.  Driving our decision-making, our world view, and our choices, it is something one can count as asset or a liability. 

Life is full of unknowns and variables, and it is often our integrity that guides us.

Integrity is why we choose to walk away from a bad deal.
Integrity is why we think beyond ourselves and how our actions affect the rest of the organization.
Integrity is why we don't force inventory on customers to make our quota.
Integrity is why we agree that commission should go to someone else.
Integrity is why we share information that may help others.
Integrity is why we fire bad customers.

When you deal with a customer, what drives you the most? Closing the deal at any cost or thinking about a future together?

When you compete with a co-worker for business, are you hiding information that results in more resources being used?

When you make a mistake, do you admit it freely or find ways to hide it or shift blame?

You drive through the crossroads of integrity every day in all of your business relationships.  You choose at these moments your success and your legacy. 

By choosing integrity, you choose to be surrounded by others who share that same view.

It is here where your customers find you irreplaceable and where you and you co-workers create a culture where work has meaning and purpose.