How to Develop Integrity At Work
What is Integrity?
Integrity is the demonstration of high quality character, including being honest, ethical, trustworthy, sincere, and effectively representing and respecting company values.
The Importance of Integrity
Did You Know? A study published in the Journal of Business Ethics found that companies that prioritize integrity over profits experience greater profitability.1
How to Develop Integrity at Work
Would you like to develop integrity at work and among your team? Below are seven on-the-job activities you can use to help you get started. We strongly recommend that you do not try all of these at once; start by picking one activity and pace yourself from there. Depending on your schedule it might only be feasible to do one activity per week. Note that some activities will also need to be repeated in order to develop integrity, not just as a leadership skill, but as a character trait.
- Set personal standards for ethical behavior, above and beyond what is legally required or generally expected in your industry.
- Draft a personal mission statement that outlines your core values and commitment to integrity. Regularly revisit and revise this statement to ensure it reflects your evolving understanding of integrity.
- Practice regular self-reflection to align your actions with values. Keeping a journal can be a useful tool for this.
- Partner with a trusted colleague or mentor and schedule regular check-ins. Use these meetings to discuss ethical issues, seek advice, and hold each other accountable.
- Cultivate integrity by consistently demonstrating honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior. This involves taking responsibility for mistakes, following through on commitments, and treating everyone fairly and with respect.
- Cascade integrity throughout an organization by incorporating it into decision-making. Leaders should make it a point to consider ethical implications in their decision-making processes, demonstrating that integrity is not just a peripheral value but central to the operations of the organization.
- Foster a culture of integrity by encouraging open and honest communication, promoting fair practices, and taking swift action against unethical behavior.
Download the Integrity Competency Guide
These tips are a part of SIGMA’s Integrity Competency Development Guide. Download the free PDF below for a complete list of tips and tricks for developing this critical leadership skill.
SIGMA Can Help
Since 1967, SIGMA consultants have helped thousands of organizations across North America develop their people potential and increase organizational effectiveness. Explore our assessments, coaching, and consulting services below, and contact us if you would like to speak about creating a custom plan for your organization. Develop your integrity as a leader with SIGMA today.
Leadership Skills Profile –
Revised™ (LSP-R)
Take our flagship leadership assessment and see how you score on integrity.
High-Potential
Talent Development
Use SIGMA’s scientifically validated, industry-tested tools to give your talent development a strong start.
Looking for More?
If you would like to speak with a consultant about how to develop integrity at your organization, contact us below. We would be happy to share what we’ve learned from client experience and talk about the specific needs of your organization and your team.
Glen Harrison is an organizational transformation consultant and succession planning expert. Over the course of his career, Glen has worked with one-third of the Fortune 500 list and with every level of government in Canada and the United States. Having worked with numerous clients to build robust succession plans from the ground up, Glen has extensive experience in the application of SIGMA’s products and services to help organizations realize their people potential.
1Graafland, J. (2002). Profits and Principles: Four Perspectives. Journal of Business Ethics, 35(4), 293–305. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013805111691