Integrity At Work - How Do You Show Up?

As the business sections of today's papers and magazines read more and more like the police blotter, ''Integrity'' is fast becoming a hot topc of conversation in business boardrooms, around water coolers, and in today's business best-sellers. Integrity is defined as walking the talk when it comes to living one's true values, being authentic. Take this self-assessment and explore how you walk your integrity talk when you show up at work.

Integrity is a lot like being pregnant. In other words, either you are pregnant, or you aren't. There's no middle ground. I''s the same with integrity.

At work, integrity is not a robe that one can put on and take off when it's convenient. However, day to day workplace behaviors more often than not seem to indicate convenience does lay a lare part in whether people show up in integrity or not. Who people are at work, and how people are at work, seems to change like the weather, the weather of convenience.

When asked, many folks say they believe they are, in fact, always acting in integrity. However, when we look at actual day-to-day, minute-by-minute workplace behaviors this is clearly not the case. Why? One reason is folks' basic needs for control recognition and security.

Because most people are driven by their egos and their ego needs for control, recognition and security, they often move away from their true and authentic self, from their deeper inner values, and behave in ways that are contrary to do-ing and be-ing in integrity.

So, do you think, feel and believe you live your core values at work, that you show up in integrity in your workplace? Take this self-assessment and explore who you are and how you are at work when it comes to integrity.

1. On an integrity scale of 1(low) to 10(high), how would you rate youself with it comes to the following workplace behaviors: (a) gossiping; (b) bullying; (c) viewing or downloading porn; (d) stealing physical materials; (e) stealine intellectual capital; (f) stealing time; (g) telling the truth; (h) taking responsibility for your piece of your team's projects; (i) making excuses; (j) being direct, open and honest in your communications; (k) respecting others; (l)

2. Who or what usually takes you our of interity?

3. When you're our of integrity, what kind of self-talk do you engage in?

4. Do your needs for control, recognition and security take you out of integrity?

5. Do you lie to yourself about being in integrity? If so, why?

6. Does it matter to you that you are out of integrity?

7. Do you use the same definition to define integrity for yourself and for others? If not, why not?

8. Do you respond if others act our of integrty and their actions directly affect you?

9. Do you respond if others act out of integrity and their actions affect your team, your unit, your department or your organization?

10. Do you ever excuse or rationalize your being out of integrity? If so, when and why?

At the end of the day, the workday, integrity is all about telling the truth about ourselves, to ourselves. It's all about living this truth.

Many of us are quick to judge and criticize others who act out of integrity. But truth be told, and it is all about the truth, many of us are just as prone to separate from our core values and act our of integrity when it's convenient in some way.

So, how did you do with your self-assessment? Who are you and how are you when it comes to showing up at work in integrity?

Peter G. Vajda, Ph.D, is co-founder of SpiritHeart, an Atlanta, GA firm specializing in coaching, counseling and facilitating. Peter focuses on personal, business and relationship coaching. He can be reached at 770-804-9125 and pvajda@spiritheart.net

---

Ten Great Careers That Don?t Require A Four Year Degree

One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream"... Read More

Multiple Skills for the 21st Century

(excerpted from The Weekend Seminar - Skills for the 21st... Read More

Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?

Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of... Read More

Dont Be Defeated - Be Empowered

Taking a job out of fear and desperation will never... Read More

Nonverbal Interview Behavior

Non-verbal interview behavior can drown out your verbal self-presentation.Practice interviewing... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Staying Active

Unemployment is depressing: financial pressures stress you out, looking for... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

Risk-taking - Get Your Feet Wet!

We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More

Successful Job Seeking ? The Importance of Your Cover Letter

As an employer I receive many job applications each week.... Read More

Career Killers to Avoid

Many professionals and managers are so involved in day-to-day crises... Read More

Troubleshooting Your Job Search

OK. You've posted your resume online. You've sent out a... Read More

No Experience? No Problem!

Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More

How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win

As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More

Reinvent Your Career In Five Simple Steps

The phrase "reinventing yourself" seems to be popping up all... Read More

Are You Making These Common Job Interview Mistakes?

Going to an interview without a plan of action is... Read More

Tips on Finding Employment as a Corporate Flight Attendant

I will not pretend that this is the easiest topic... Read More

How To Get A Job Fast

In today's unpredictable economy, the idea of job security with... Read More

Workplace 911

I've watched a few episodes of Nanny 911 and with... Read More

Five Powerful Tips for Interns

Interning is about more than earning money during summer break.... Read More

Chicken Soup for Job Seekers

Do you want to change your job but don't know... Read More

Travel Writer Jobs, What Are They And How To Find Them

Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into... Read More

Are You Tired of Hiring Other Peoples Rejects? - 12 Mistakes Recruiters Make and How To Avoid Them

When John applied for a job at Oakland Company, his... Read More

Business & Career: Know Your Ruling Star!

"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More

More Companies Using Job Interview Phone Screening

Planning and preparing before you begin to send out resumes... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in the Job Search

Most everyone these days knows what a comfort zone is.... Read More

Oil, Lube and Filter Employee Pay

We have been studying the labor rates of Oil, Lube... Read More

Seven Ways to Say You?re Fired and What to Do When It Happens to You

Today's employers scramble for creative ways to advise employees of... Read More

Ten Tips to a Job Winning Interview

These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More

Your Resume is Just One of the Tools in Your Job Search

A resume is a tool. It allows employers to see... Read More

Five Qualities Employers Want

More than ever, employers want employees who can produce results!... Read More

Great Interview Skills

Going for a job interview can be a harrowing experience.... Read More

What Everybody Ought To Know About How To Change Their Career or Profession and Still Survive...

Dr. Denis Waitley, trainer of leaders, including Super Bowl and... Read More

About Your Work

I like Simon, one of three judges on American Idol.... Read More