Integrity: Why Having A Strong Moral Compass Matters

“Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn’t blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won’t cheat, then you know he never will.” - John D. MacDonald

Everyone has something that guides them. When it comes to becoming elite, having a strong moral compass is crucial. Being willing to do the right, even when it’s tough, can be a valuable guide for us as we go through the process of building. Many of us calling this having integrity. Integrity means being honest and reliable, both which are traits that any elite individual possesses.

Choosing to act based on values like honesty, respect, and fairness can be difficult at times. This plays out when we live a life of service rather than a life striving for just personal ambition and gain. We see integrity truly play out in competitive settings. I don’t know about you, but my competitive side sometimes gets the best of me. When we’re in competitive settings like sports or business, some people might be tempted to cheat or bend the rules. If you have integrity, you can stick to your values even under pressure and gain the trust and respect of the right people.

When you’re building, integrity matters. Many people will say that the end result is all that matters, and how you get there does not. However, when you become elite through building on a life of integrity, it’s that much sweeter when you get to the summit of whatever mountain you’re climbing. Winning while doing the right thing is as sweet as it gets.

Reflection Question: What areas of your life are you trying to cut corners? How can you display more integrity in that area?

Coach T