David Irvine

Since my last blog and subsequent e-article for March, I have had some wonderful responses and questions for delving more deeply into the area of integrity . We write extensively about integrity in our book, The Authentic Leader: It’s About PRESENCE, Not Position (pp. 127-133)*.

From my observation, there are two kinds of integrity: relational integrity and moral integrity. Relational integrity is about keeping promises, doing what you say you will do. It’s about the ability to be counted on. Relational integrity starts with yourself, being able to count on yourself to keep an agreement with yourself, whether it’s to follow through on an exercise program, finish a project on time, or sustain a spiritual practice in your life. It then extends to your relationships with others and your ability to keep a promise to those who depend on you. There can be no real credibility with others until you have credibility with yourself.

Moral integrity, on the other hand, goes beyond doing what you say you are are going to do. Moral integrity is about doing what is right. In the movie Gladiator, Caesar explained to his general, Maximus, that he would be the next leader of Rome. Maximus genuinely questioned this decision, asking Caesar why he was being chosen rather than Caesar’s own son, Comitus. Caesar summed up the importance of integrity and delivered the message perfectly when he looked Maximus in the eyes and responded, “Comitus cannot rule. Comitus must not rule. For Comitus is not a moral man.”

Moral integrity involves essentially three steps. First, you discern right from wrong, based on a strong conscience. A key question guides moral integrity: “Does your decision lead to the betterment of all constituents?” Hitler may have had relational integrity, in that he may have kept his promises to himself and others, but with an agenda to destroy a race, he lacked moral integrity. Second, you act on your decision, on what you have discerned. Finally, you make your decisions and actions public – i.e. to those affected by your decisions. As we learned back in high school biology, sunlight is the best disinfectant.

*If you would like a copy of the chapter on integrity from our book, drop me an email and I’d be glad to send it to you.