A person of influence has integrity with people. This is the first tenet of John Maxwell’s book, “Becoming a person of influence”. As John explains in his book, integrity is about the little things. Keeping your appointments, keeping small promises, being truthful with people. I really struggle in this area. I don’t like to use the word NO so I end up with lots of commitments. At first these commitments seem simple, but as they pile up on one another they become unbearable and unworkable.
This is when the promises start to be broken and the appointments missed.
It doesn’t take much for people to lose faith in you. They notice what you do, not what you say. I am learning it is better to say no that to over-promise and underdeliver.
John has ten questions in his book to help you measure your integrity
1. How well do I treat people from whom I can gain nothing?
2. Am I transparent with others?
3. Do I role play based on the person(s) I’m with?
4. Am I the same person when I’m in the spotlight as I am when I’m alone?
5. Do I quickly admit wrongdoing without being pressed to do so?
6. Do I put people ahead of my personal agenda?
7. Do I have an unchanging standard for moral decisions, or do circumstances determine my choices?
8. Do I make difficult decisions, even when they have a personal cost to them?
9. When I have something to say about people, do I talk to them or about them?
10. Am I accountable to at least one other person for what I think, say and do?
Some food for thought. I know I have some work to do…
