Intergrity

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Intergrity

Kathrin’s Blog - 2010

What is integrity exactly? I was talking with someone about the word and we looked up the dictionary definition. It stated the obvious meanings, like committing to values and principles, having honor and sincerity, etc., but we both felt that those definitions were somehow too simple, and lacked what integrity meant for each of us. When I am having trouble grasping the essence of a word I go beyond my dictionary and go to my Word Origins book. As is happens, “integrity,” in its original meaning, means “whole.” That is why in mathematics a “whole” number is called an “integer”, and why “entire” and integrity sound similar. Integrity also comes from two words that mean “in touch.” When I read these origins of the word integrity, lights, bells, whistles went off in my head. To me, integrity is not just committing to your own values, but it also means being sensitive to others and committing to the “whole”, and being “in touch” with everyone and all concerned. Integrity to me is the ultimate win-win. Win-wins are sometimes easy to achieve and sometimes difficult. What I know (now) is that you really have to seek out and create win-wins, they are not handed to you. And, when you do find the opportunities for them, don’t settle for anything less. It may involve your having to listen to others, endeavoring to really hear their desires and concerns, to get you there. However, if people you are wanting to work with (or hold integrity with), seem to be not listening to you, not respecting your point of view, or if they choose to be more competitive, don’t give up on them right away. First, try to alter your communication to the best of your ability, until you are sure it is possible for them to hear the win-win and understand the value that only works when everyone wins. If they still don’t hear it, or are feeding back to you a possible win-lose, then back away if you can. The trust issues may be too difficult. Find better partners who really get it, so you get the integrity you need to do what you do to the best of your ability, and allow others to do the same. You may not get it 100% every time, but trying for it every time is worth it. That is my definition of integrity.