What does the word “integrity” mean to you? When I asked this question in a poll, the most popular response centered around “moral right versus wrong.” However, those who selected “other” offered a diverse array of insightful answers. Some defined integrity as moral strength, while others simply described it as “doing the right thing,” especially when no one else is watching.
The variety of responses to my poll highlighted how integrity is a deeply personal concept, even with the existence of numerous broad philosophical definitions. In this article, I will delve into several perspectives on the meaning of integrity, and share my own reflections on this crucial idea.
Philosophy and the Concept of Integrity
Much like the varied comments in my poll, the definition of integrity has been a subject of debate for thousands of years. Philosophers throughout history have presented different viewpoints on what integrity entails, the situations where it applies, and how individuals can best embody it.
Bernard Williams, a prominent English moral philosopher, extensively discussed integrity. He praised the 1977 Chambers’ Dictionary definition of integrity, which described it as “entireness, wholeness: the unimpaired state of anything.” This reflects a long-standing view of integrity as an integration of one’s beliefs, actions, and words. Simply put, it’s about practicing what you preach and aligning your actions with your words.
Philosophers have also defined integrity in terms of an individual’s capacity to honor commitments and prioritize which commitments are essential for maintaining integrity. Williams emphasized the significance of “identity-conferring commitments,” referring to the promises and agreements that give meaning to one’s life. From this identity-centric perspective, integrity involves upholding the commitments that best represent your motivations, interests, and sense of self.
Cheshire Calhoun, a philosopher and academic, in her collection of essays Moral Aims: Essays on the Importance of Getting It Right and Practicing Morality with Others, defined integrity as a “social virtue” due to its impact on interpersonal relationships. Calhoun argues that rather than honoring commitments solely because it is morally correct, individuals should act in accordance with their best judgment and advocate for what truly matters to them. The social aspect of this definition involves respecting the sound judgment of others and considering one’s role within the community when practicing integrity.
The philosophical discourse on integrity is valuable, but the practical application of these concepts holds the greatest relevance in our daily lives. Let’s examine how integrity operates within the business world.
Integrity in the Business World
For many, integrity is best understood as a commitment to honesty and transparency that guides one’s professional conduct. As the founder and executive chair of the Business Integrity Leadership Initiative at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, a board director, and former global chief ethics officer for Walmart, Inc., I have direct experience with the critical role of integrity in the workplace. An effective business leader operates according to strong internal values. A truly exceptional leader clearly communicates these expectations to the entire organization. Without this kind of robust leadership, an organization can never cultivate a lasting culture that values integrity.
In my Walton Insights article discussing the business integrity crisis, I outline six concise business principles as a foundation for building trustworthy business relationships. These principles include speaking up when something is wrong, avoiding fraud and deceit, utilizing ethical artificial intelligence, and prioritizing data privacy. These principles are not only essential for conducting ethical business with external parties but also serve as standards that leaders should encourage and develop throughout their organizations.
The phrase “entire organization” encompasses everyone. Ethical behavior is not exclusive to business leadership; it is the responsibility of every member of the organization to embody these principles and consistently practice what they preach. For students seeking to demonstrate their proactive commitment to acting and leading with integrity to prospective or current employers, the Students Achieving Milestones (S.A.M.) Business Integrity and Let’s Talk career readiness badges provide an excellent opportunity!
My Personal View on Integrity
Integrity should not be something that you switch on and off as you enter and leave the workplace. You cannot realistically be one person at home and a different person at work. This dichotomy is unsustainable in the long run. Integrity is fundamentally about your character and who you are as an individual, and it involves bringing your whole self to your professional life. Being honest and transparent with family and friends is just as crucial as upholding your word in a professional context, and vice versa.
Furthermore, integrity is a vital attribute of an effective leader. I would argue that integrity is the very foundation of leadership. It manifests itself through a leader’s words, and more importantly, through their actions. Leading with integrity means advocating for what is right, even when it is challenging, maintaining openness, honesty, and transparency, adapting to changing circumstances while remaining principled, holding others accountable, and leveraging your influence to cultivate and sustain a strong organizational culture of integrity based on enduring values.
This perspective on integrity shapes my goals and the qualities I seek in others. Do you have a different perspective on integrity that wasn’t covered in this article? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
