June 30, 2025

Character makes trust possible, and trust is the foundation of leadership in every realm.

A person with integrity does not have divided loyalties, as that leads to duplicity, nor do they merely pretend to be what they're not, which is hypocrisy. People with integrity are "whole" individuals; their single-mindedness defines them. They have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Their lives are open books. V. Gilbert Beers states, "A person of integrity has established a system of values against which all of life is judged."

Image is what people think we are; integrity is who we truly are. Our culture often rewards image over integrity. Why? Image is easy. Integrity is hard.

Integrity is not just about what we do; it is about who we are. And who we are, in turn, determines our actions. Everyone faces conflicting desires at times. No one, regardless of how "spiritual" they may be, can avoid this internal struggle. Integrity is what influences which desire will prevail. Each day, we encounter situations that require us to choose between what we want to do and what we ought to do.

Integrity sets the ground rules for resolving these tensions. It enables us to determine in advance who we will be, regardless of circumstances, the people involved, or the situations we face. It allows us to remain whole individuals, irrespective of the challenges that come our way.

You are a whole person, and growing the wholeness of you matters. When this becomes a priority, your influence is based on principles rather than emotions, as clarity, confidence, and consistency naturally follow personal growth!

Intentionally Own It! What personalized growth does this message encourage me to pursue, and why does it matter? When will I take action, and what value will it add to my life and the lives of others when I do?