To have difficult conversations, it helps to be stronger within ourselves. Our integrity is what builds this strength, by helping us build trust in ourselves, and in getting to know ourselves.
Thus we can be more of who we are, and honest with ourselves and others. And it allows others to trust and know us too.
When defining integrity, we can look at the dictionaries, and dictionary.com says that integrity is an “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.”
Another aspect is also the “state of being whole, entire, or undiminished”, (aka shining!)
Wikipedia explains it clearly too, as a practice of being honest, and living your values and principles in a consistent way.
The link to being whole or complete is interesting, as it says: “integrity is the inner sense of ‘wholeness’ deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character”.
When someone’s actions are an accurate reflection of their beliefs, values and principles, then we say they have integrity.
My favourite definition though – especially when it comes to our aspirations in the Courage Circle – is Brené Brown’s definition. She explains it as:
Integrity is choosing courage over comfort;
it’s choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy;
and it’s practicing your values, not just professing them.
Here’s to us choosing courage over comfort, and building our integrity muscles.
References:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/integrity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity
https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/workbook-art-pics-glossary, and just about every book of hers that I have read
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