Integrity: A Legacy of Love
by Mary Jane
Mapes
Andrew Carnegie once said, "As I grow older, I pay less attention to
what men say. I just watch what they do." Talk without the walk is empty. Integrity
is revealed through action.
Respect and admiration go to those with integrity. They mean what they say. They are
honest in everything, large and small, personally and professionally. They can be trusted.
They are their word. Are they perfect? No. But when they make a mistake, they admit it.
They don't blame it on other people or circumstances. They take responsibility for their
choices, accept the consequences, learn about themselves as a result, and grow in
character.
Last week I had dinner with a client. We were discussing her company's philosophy of
"doing what's right" versus doing what will feather one's own cap. She told me
that she had offered her department up to an initiative that had been taken on by her
company. The reason? Because her department belonged under the umbrella of that
initiative. Although it was a move that could have eliminated her job, she said that she
just knew it was the right thing to do. As a result of this selfless act, she was,
instead, promoted and her department has since become an integral player in designing a
larger vision for her organization. She acted with integrity and experienced the rewards
that came as a result. Integrity doesn't always get us such tangible rewards, however.
Sometimes the only reward we get is in knowing that we did the right thing.
Recently, a friend of mine called upset because she had misplaced a job application and
had forgotten to send it in. She wanted my advice. "What should I do? Should I call
the company and ask if they received my application? Then, when they say, 'No,' I can tell
them that I sent it in two weeks ago?"
I suggested that she simply tell the truth...that she had misplaced the application, and,
when going through her briefcase, discovered that she had never turned it in. Then she
could ask if there was still time to send it in. The moment I said the words, "simply
tell the truth," she heaved a sigh of relief, like a burden had been removed from her
shoulders. And it had. Not only does "knowing the truth set you free," but
telling the truth brings freedom that can only come with alignment. Anything less blocks
the flow of energy that radiates consistency and sincerity...the foundation of integrity
(and real personal power).
My father used to say that a good reputation was the most important thing a person could
possess. As the owner of a small insurance agency, he more than once told people that they
could get the same coverage cheaper someplace else, but that they would never get better
service or a better advocate anywhere else. Some of his clients went elsewhere to get a
cheaper price. Most, however, returned once they discovered that he had told them the
truth. They discovered that excellent service and a strong advocate when they had a claim
was worth the little extra it may have cost. My dad's word was his reputation…and it
was synonymous with honesty. As a result, his phone never stopped ringing with referred
business.
Walking with integrity speaks volumes about us. It serves as a magnet, attracting others
to us and generating respect like nothing else can. And what better legacy of love to
leave than one of INTEGRITY.
©Copyright 1999-2006 Mary Jane Mapes All rights reserved.
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