2. Be Full of Integrity
,If your boss or customer wants you to lie, cheat, steal, or harm others, don’t do it. Quit if necessary. Blow the whistle if you think it’s appropriate. No matter what, don’t get involved in unethical dealings. It’s not worth any price. Be honest, and honest people will gravitate toward you.
But, let’s face it, that’s the easy part. How much judgment or effort is really required to reject downright dishonesty and corruption? The hard part is when integrity requires more than sitting on a high horse in judgment of others. Real integrity requires proactive behavior:
• Breaking your back to deliver, if necessary, when people are counting on you
• Helping others, even when nobody is there to give you credit
• Intervening when others are being treated unfairly
• Speaking out in support of causes that you believe in, even if those causes are unpopular
• Think of an ethical dilemma you have recently faced or are now facing—one that required, or requires, proactive behavior on your part.
RECORD THE DETAILS OF THAT DILEMMA:
• What action did you take, or are you going to take?
IF THIS IS A DILEMMA FROM THE PAST:
— Did you do the right thing? If so, how do you know it was the right thing? What was the consequence of your actions?
— Would you do anything different if faced with the same dilemma again? If so, what would you do? Why? What different consequences would you be looking for?
IF THIS IS A CURRENT DILEMMA:
— Are you planning to do the right thing? How do you know it’s the right thing? What consequences do you expect from these actions? Are they the best ones?
— Is there anything you should do in a way different from how you’re planning to do it?