This article was first published August 19th 2010 by Business to Business in Angelique's
blog "A word from the Editor's desk" and is reprinted by
permission.
Angelique was inspired to write it by meeting Hannah Samuel,
whose latest book, 'The
Integrity Factor', is a highly accessible read for current and
aspiring leaders wishing to lead authentically and with integrity.
(And we have two copies to give
away!)
Integrity is defined by most of us as a steadfast adherence to a
strict moral or ethical code. In a more casual definition it
is about being able to sleep at night with what we have done during
the day.
Of all the qualities we bring to the table, whether in business or
in life in general, acting with integrity would have to be the most
important.
It matters not one iota if you have the best service, product, or
idea in the world - if the way you go about sharing, marketing,
selling, or generally behaving is dishonest.
In a world where the lines between our businesses and our homes
are more and more blurred it is more important than ever that we
act in a manner we can be proud to own.
With social media growing every day and networks expanding faster
than most of us can keep up with, there is no longer, as Hannah Samuel of
Reputationz pointed out to me, a private life and a public
life. There is just life. The way you behave in one arena is going
to find you in the other.
If you behave one way in front of clients and employees and
another at home - sooner or later someone is going to ask you
questions that are going to make you squirm.
We're delighted to have
two free copies of Hannah's latest book, "The
Integrity Factor" to give away.
To go into the draw, simply leave a comment (or
more than one!) anywhere on this site.
All comments to the end of November will be eligible. The
winners will be notified by email so please enter your email above
the comments box (it will not show on the site).
I'm not talking about being embarrassed because your accountant
just found out you stitch hand made teddy bears in front of the
television set each night or that you are President of the Black
Jelly Bean Protection Society. All of us at some stage are
going to blush in front of our colleagues and family over something
we enjoy.
I am talking about the behaviours you indulge in that you would
prefer your mother never found out about. When you find yourself
double checking that nobody knows what you have done or said,
questioning other people's behaviour without any real reason, or
behaving in a manner you would not accept from others - chances are
you have violated your own code of conduct.
That code is far more difficult to repair than any other - and as
such is far more precious.
Protect it with your life - nobody else will.
Acknowledgement
Angelique Jurd is the Editor of Business to Business newspaper
and of four further titles. Outside office hours she can be found
further purusing her love of and her skills in writing. You can
find her at Kiwiwriter.