Integrity Counts!

I work for a MNC and a part of our training curriculum is a program “Integrity Counts” which is an initiative to inculcate ethics and compliance awareness amongst the staff.  This spurred me to reflect on the situation around me.

Integrity is a prized requirement for all  but sadly  we see a down slide of this value in every sphere.  We see it in our daily life and  is disturbing.  Some instances:

•         While waiting for the bus,  saw 2 school kids discussing, one said, “I have not written my essay, give  me yours, I will copy it, the teacher will not realize because you are not in my class”.

•         We have read about teachers encouraging worse allowing the students to copy during exams

•         The peon at the tax office,  who happens to have an access to the files, says, “ Sir, I will get you that letter,  swalpa enaadaru kodi ( please give me something)”

Unlike the earlier times, Integrity does not seem to find a place in the lexicon of today’s generation. I still remember my grandpa saying “ I have given my word,  I have to stand by it” while to day I hear “ Forget it , even if checked , nothing's going  to happen anyway”

Integrity is a quality which encompasses many other qualities like trust, honesty and righteousness. Small routine activities speak volumes of our integrity.   The many acts of integrity can be found and observed when we are with family, friends and colleagues.  I think that when we see an act of dishonesty  or something alike we have  to voice our concern, help sustain integrity and discourage negative values.  But then, many times we don’t,  for the  simple reason we are afraid or troubled by the thought how others would react or prefer to ignore and remain silent.  In the process we become passive abettors.

My boss always emphasises that our thought, word and line of action should be identical, these words coming from a person in the hot seat is most inspiring.  Once you are upright and truthful in your dealings, it generates trust and reputation and a blissful sleep.

Integrity is a value which has to come from within, we have to honest with ourselves before we expect it from somebody.

Many times, when I talk to the  younger generation, I am asked what will these values give you? In retort , I say “ It gives me trust, reputation and helps nurture relationships. The result of which may not be seen immediately, but will be there in the years to come. Above all it gives total satisfaction."

"If each one of us endeavor to value integrity in all our dealings, there would be a great and welcome change in the affairs of the nation as a whole"  


As Oprah Winfrey said “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.”