We all know at least one person who everyone seems to confide in. Maybe you happen to be that person. People just always seem drawn to this individual like a magnet. I’d be curious to figure out, well, what makes them special? If you’ve been on the receiving end of a conversation that began along the lines of “I’m telling you this because I trust you” or “This stays between us” then chances are people view you as trustworthy. To be more precise, you, my friend, have integrity. Even if you haven’t labeled it as such, others have noticed it since it shows through your day-to-day interactions.
Integrity is essential to forming trust in a relationship, as someone who has integrity will do the right thing no matter what. Having a set of consistent values that guide your behavior and decisions in life, at work, at home, etc. is important. How else are others supposed to trust someone who is unpredictable? Having a moral code that you stick with is important in every aspect of life and helps you take accountability for your actions. You don’t have to be moral philosophy professor Chidi Anagonye (The Good Place reference) to have integrity. Anyone can develop this quality, and luckily for you, it is one of the competencies that you can choose to focus on in the Illinois Model of Leadership.
When I think of integrity, I think of Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand prime minister. Her decision to stick to her moral code of treating everyone, regardless of race, sex, religion, etc. with respect and compassion prevented the “othering” of minority groups. She could have easily turned
a blind eye to the mass-shooting or not expressed as much concern due to the victims being a part of a group that has a history of negative media representation. However, her strong character and values led her to respond in the way she did. Her simple yet powerful words, “They are us,” in response to Christchurch, truly exemplified her character and led her to become an influential leader who takes swift action. Because of her integrity, her presence is being recognized globally. That is the power of integrity.
