What is integrity?

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” ~C.S. Lewis

Lately I’ve been thinking about the word integrity. Growing up, I was taught to believe that integrity was a non-negotiable quality to expect in our leaders, whether we were talking about business, education, community groups, or government. Integrity was essential to consider when choosing my friends and life partner. It still matters to me today, more than ever.

So what does integrity mean? Here’s how Merriam-Webster defines it:

1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility. 2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness. 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness.

But the dictionary definition barely scratches the surface.

In my book, people who value integrity don’t condone or “normalize” corrupt behavior — even when it’s dressed in a uniform of authority or religious power. People with integrity respect the truth and don’t bend rules to suit their agenda. Always ethical, they value the needs and feelings of others as well as their own. People who have integrity aren’t perfect — but they have the courage to admit when they’re wrong and correct their mistakes.

Integrity isn’t always easy or comfortable, especially when you encounter those who don’t value it. Integrity isn’t selfish or self-serving, but if you have integrity, you can face yourself in the mirror every day. What does integrity mean to you? ~CL