Integrity Matters Broadcasts
September 1, 2004
WHY INTEGRITY PAYS OFF FOR THOSE WHO DO
THE RIGHT THING, DAY AFTER DAY AND YEAR AFTER YEAR.
Last month we asked for examples of individuals who had
demonstrated graciousness. The response was reassuring.
We learned from several of you that there are many decent
people, who welcome strangers, treat service providers
with dignity, pass along compliments, write thank you notes
and listen caringly and compassionately to the concerns
of others. Once again, this month, we are soliciting input,
from you.
As you know, our first book, Integrity Matters is
available in bookstores and on our website,
through Amazon.com. The issues we addressed have not gone
away. Scandals marking the opening of the 21st Century
revealed that some of our most influential leaders found
it hard to resist the greedy promise of fast millions.
These disgraced leaders sacrificed their personal integrity
for a fast gain; the tragedy is, they did not
need to do this!
True, cheating, with all of its risks, often generates
cash. However, playing by the rules creates both wealth
and positive cultural impact, and without the risks of
public or private shame.
Those individuals who look to us for guidance need to
be reassured that there are legitimate and compelling alternatives
to the lure of fast money and loose standards. And, yes,
we intend to make the case, through interviews and through
stories offered by our readers, that for many who have
become success, integrity (not saintliness) has served
as a guiding principle.
So, here it is again, the request: will
you tell us a story of someone you know who has brought
integrity-centered leadership into their personal and
professional conduct?
Click here to participate in our research about integrity-centered
leadership behavior info@brachercenter.com.
On the first, the request, thank you, in advance, for
your willingness to offer responses back to us. We are
looking for one or more examples where you have observed
the productivity-enhancing power of our Eight Attributes: Character,
Honesty, Openness, Authority, Partnership, Performance,
Charity and Graciousness. As you may be aware, we are in
the midst of writing our next book, which will address
the ultimate pay-off for integrity which is success, in
a variety of forms. In addition to citing powerful examples
where doing things right in business pays off, we also
want to create a constructive website www.integritypays.com
that will serve readers with positive examples to provide
to future generations, who are surrounded and hounded by
the media's fixation with negative behavior. Integrity
will become the beacon for decisions and actions and will
provide clear guidance for those in search of intelligent
alternatives. On our website we remind ourselves and others: "Integrity
is one of several paths; it distinguishes itself from the
others because it is the right path and the only one upon
which you will never get lost." -- M.H. McKee
Two recently published Integrity Matters columns
will bring home the harsh realities of accountability and
responsibility - for each person, all the time.
# 1 "When it comes to standards,
ask these questions"
Dear Jim:
As I am about to enter college, a major discussion point
has been affirmative action. Many universities across America
employ an affirmative-action program. I personally believe
the best qualified should be accepted regardless of race.
Allowing sub-par students admission because they are considered
a minority is still a form of racism. Does being politically
correct in this situation debase the integrity of our nation's
education system?
Response:
Long ago, my father passed along an interesting insight.
He said that minor surgery happens to other people. When,
as a young man, I asked for the meaning of the statement,
my father replied, "When a surgeon was cutting on
me, the surgery was always major." Other people, however,
could call their medical procedures minor. But Dad's were
major. Perhaps this inherited perspective has convinced
me that when I am placing my life (survival) in the care
of other people -- then, just like my Dad, I feel my situation
is major, and my requirements for the surgeon's skills
and performance are uncompromising.
So, given that simple parental wisdom, what might each
individual reader's responses be to the following six questions?
- What is level of surgical skill do you expect when
you are on the operating table?
Click here for the full response
# 2 "University dean's generosity
is a life lesson"
Dear Jim:
I am a new student at California State University, Monterey
Bay, and very enthused about it because I see that the
faculty members' interest in their students starts even
before the new school year has begun. Just today I conferred
with a dean who offered to meet with me individually to
help me develop the right schedule for my classes. I was
thrilled. How does this generous action by a dean speak
to the integrity of leadership at this institution?
Response:
Learning at your new school, California State University
at Monterey Bay, has already begun for you, and you have
not yet enrolled in your first class. When the dean of
an academic institution will make the time to offer personal
help, there is an important message being sent: namely,
that people are important.
When leaders of an organization make themselves accessible to those who most
need them, which in this instance is a first-year student, then the values
are clear: Students really do matter, and relationships...
Click here for the full response
Our October Broadcast will address Executive
Integrity.
Thank you again, for helping to expand the integrity conversation.
Together with your input we are building a legacy of constructive
behaviors for current as well as future generations.
Sincerely,
Jim
