Integrity and ethics are easy words to use but to make sure we are talking about the same thing; we should define them. When you search around, you find that there appears to be no single definition, though there are many descriptions and phrases on similar lines, for both words. So we should be able to come up with a workable understanding as to what they are and how they fit in.
Let’s start with integrity. A look at everyone’s favourite search engine finds descriptions like honesty, being firm and unwavering on adhering to principles and values, and a refusal to change or compromise on those. Others describe this adherence as an incorruptibility.
Then we find synonyms noted for integrity include honesty, uprightness, morality, goodness, truthfulness, decency, character, fairness, honour, incorruptibility, principles, purity, trustworthiness, veracity, scrupulousness.
Secondly, ethics. Again, a search finds beliefs, systems, norms, rules of conduct, or accepted notions that govern, control, or influence behaviour. These relate to morality, encompassing notions of right and wrong, good and bad, and acceptable and unacceptable conduct.
When you search for synonyms for ethics, you find principles, standards, morals, creed, credo, beliefs, mores, ideals, conscience, conduct, decency, virtues, convention, norms, value, moral code.
So, our working definition, based on this, might be as follows. Ethics are a system or set of beliefs that define good vs. bad, right vs. wrong. A person of integrity follows this system, or set of beliefs, without deviation. This governs their actions and behaviour and is always on the side of right, or good.
Now there may well be someone who offer alternatives; however, I’m settling for that. I think the ordinary man or woman on the street would understand this. Of course it raises an obvious question about ethics. If ethics guide you, then where do values fit in, or are they the same? Well, our values are our ethics. They are the guidance for us, and it is these that define good vs. bad, or what the right thing for us to do is. Integrity makes us comply with them.
Of course, the reason for nailing this area down is that, whilst we would like to think that we all live with integrity and ethics, we know it is not how life works. The point here is that if people are missing these things, then they will also be missing something else: credibility. In our organisation’s leadership, at any level, needs credibility, as without it, their remaining options are poor.
Ethics provide a system; integrity means you follow it. With this, you are on safe ground, your judgement is sound. Even though it may make you unpopular, it should not make you uncomfortable. If you do operate without such a system, then what mechanisms are guiding you?
I wrote in the book about working under a married senior manager, many years ago, who was having an affair with a younger colleague. It affected everything; everybody knew. It was hard to take things seriously, and many people gossiped about what was going on. Every decision this senior manager made or order they gave was analysed to see whether they were being sincere, or just showing off, or giving a favour. Work, that is, providing a service to, or beyond, the customer’s expectations was on nobody’s mind.
This example matters, especially when we look at our large, public sector hierarchical organisations. In this type of workplace, leaders and managers guide staff. People look up to see what they should do and what the bosses want from them. They are looking for signals. Are they seeing both their lower level and senior leadership conducting themselves with integrity?
A simple affair. They were not the first to have an affair, nor will they be the last. Putting aside the damage that it will cause to others, like their spouse and family, there is another side too. An affair, almost always, involves deceit, lies, and cheating. Your credibility just disappears. Integrity is not on a switch. We cannot turn it on and off at will, when convenient. You cannot conduct yourself in this way and ask others, people that you lead, to conduct themselves with honesty and truthfulness. It doesn’t work like that.
How many people think it is just their partners they are cheating on when they do such things?
