Integrity. What is it exactly? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines integrity as " firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility" According to Pastor Jason integrity is when your behavior matches your beliefs. This means that you don't live a double life. What people see is what they get. Or in other words you practice what you preach.
When you talk about the integrity of a building it is referring to how sound or strong that building is where it counts. The foundation or internal structure that holds up the building. A building can be gorgeous on the outside but have poor integrity. The first time the ground shakes the building will come tumbling down. The reverse is true as well. Will your integrity hold strong when things get shaken up?
Integrity is different than reputation. Your reputation is who people think you are. Integrity is who you really are. This is the difference between what you say and what you do. My reputation says that I am willing to stand up for the little guy. My integrity shows whether or not this is actually true. Do I stand up for the little guy even if no one will ever know?
Integrity is tested in hard times. It's easy to have integrity when things are going well. But, when times are tough and the hard decisions have to be made that is when you show your true integrity. Elanor Roosevelt said "A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water." This is true of everyone when it comes to integrity.
So what does this have to be with being a great leader? I think that is obvious. A truly great leader leads with integrity. Do you want to follow someone who claims to be raising money for charity when in reality the money is going in his pocket? Integrity isn't just the big things. Not returning the extra change you are given or using the copy machine at work for personal use are examples of a lack of integrity.
The real question is...can you look yourself in the mirror at night and know that you lived that day with integrity?
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