Falling From Grace- Why Integrity Matters

We have all seen famous people fall out of favor in the world’s eye. Tiger Woods with his so-called sex addiction, Richard Nixon with Watergate and Roger Clemens with his steroid use. But you don’t have to be world famous to end up being a pariah. You can be the corner deli owner, the local politician or the civic leader in your community. Riding high on public sentiment feels good and feeds every human’s ego, but too many times people forget that once you breach trust and act without integrity, it all comes crashing down like Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.

I can clearly recall several instances in the regional marketplace where individuals lost their status and cache because of their own actions or - better described - their own lack of integrity. For example, a regional business owner who ran an organization and appeared to have the community at his feet was suddenly removed under a cloud of suspicion. Shortly after his removal, information surfaced that he was the leader of a venture that cleaned out their investors as a result of shady dealings. Or high profile individuals who are consistently being heard in the marketplace talking negatively about prominent professionals to self aggrandize themselves. Did they simply wake up one morning and lack the integrity they once had? Probably not. Don’t let the fact that people like this seem well-connected; the fact is those supposed business contacts don’t trust them either. In many instances those business friends are just worried that they will talk negative about them to other people so they put up with polite public acknowledgments.

Many folks like this are simply overcompensating for lack of true ability, so they are always looking for an angle or using other people for their own ends. They don’t really possess skills necessary to survive and thrive appropriately in today’s world. I admit, it’s tough out there right now but this too shall pass. Your reputation and integrity live on and are not easily get repaired without much inner soul searching and life altering contemplation of the person you want to be. Change your ideas and you will change your behavior and motives.

So, the moral of the story? Be genuine. Being genuine with the persona the world sees is impossible without being genuine with yourself first. Staying honest when there is no one around will help you stay the course and formulate a power that you can’t get elsewhere.

Pay it forward. Come from a place where by helping someone else you will get what you want in the end. Maybe not the way you think or even directly back from that person you assisted, but the universe has a way of compensating appropriately (ok, I know this might sound like I just read The Secret. I personally felt this way long before I had ever heard of it).Take the time out of your day to stop and help a colleague who may be struggling with a challenge within their business, or grab a cup of coffee to share insights with an employee who just entered the workforce.

Stay positive. While it may be frustrating to stay silent, negative talk about your partners or competition in the marketplace can often result in the tarnishing of your own image.  Staying above the fray will enable colleagues, clients and prospects to place their trust in your sense of confidentially and increase your value in their eyes.

Running a small business is an exhausting adventure that will pay you riches beyond just the dollars you earn.  Having respect for yourself, your family, and your community is a simple way to make sure you are classified among the good guys and will assure that you will never have to worry about falling from grace.  So, why does integrity matter?  See above.