By

Bruce E Brown, NAIA Special Presenter

Justice and Truthfulness are part of the Core Value of Integrity

“The greatest truths are the simplest, so likewise, the greatest men.”

Unknown

Integrity is a simple concept, and for the person of integrity life may not be any easier, but it is simpler.  It is not always easy to do what is ethically correct, but it is simple to know which path is most ethical and then exercise that option.  Integrity is a choice of behaviors displayed in everyone’s small daily decisions.  People of integrity engage in actions that follow their words and beliefs.  Their “yes” means yes and their “no,” means no.  The person of integrity says what he means and follows that exact path.   His word is good; his handshake seals the deal, and his signature is worth something. 

Athletes, before you sign any drug or alcohol pledge, please ask yourself, “What is my signature worth”?  The person who lacks integrity, says and signs what is required and then does what they want.  Teams made up of athletes without integrity have a tendency to self-destruct.

A person of integrity seems to be consistently at ease and at peace, because they are able to apply the same value system to answer every question no matter how big or small.

Lead with Integrity:

Leaders who are ethically grounded have a huge advantage when it comes to building teams and businesses.  They will be consistent and steadfast and will place the needs of the team ahead of their own.  They can be counted on in every situation to do what is right rather than what is expedient.  Leaders with personal character provide a model and foundation of trust, honor and integrity for their followers.  They know themselves and what they stand for and by being consistent in word and deed; they create opportunities for success for everyone on the team.  A team can seldom rise above the character flaws of the leader. 

Live the Truth:

“There is no right way to do a wrong thing.”

Norman Vincent Peale

Whenever individuals or teams compromise their integrity by doing something they honestly know is wrong to reach some important goal, one of two things usually happens.  Either they reach the goal and realize it is not worth gaining, or they end up with neither the prize nor their integrity.  What have we accomplished if we reach the prize, but lose our integrity and soul in the process?  If we have to cheat to win – do we really win? 

When baseball commissioner Bart Giamatti had to deal with a pitcher who had been caught cheating by scuffing the ball to make it easier to throw and more difficult to hit, he responded: “Unlike acts of impulse or violence, intended at the moment to vent frustration, acts of cheating are intended to alter the very conditions of play to favor one person.  They seek to undermine the basic foundation of any contest that all participants play under identical rules.  They destroy faith in the games’ integrity and fairness.”

Communicate the truth and embrace justice:

“Integrity is telling myself the truth, and honesty is telling the truth to other people.”

Spencer Johnson

Being truthful involves speaking and acting in alignment with an individual’s highest ethical values.  Truthful communication means an exact verbal or visual representation of what a person believes.  It is the basis for and demonstration of integrity.  Truth in a team situation involves being credible with each other through the consistency of one’s actions.  Truth needs to be apparent when addressing strengths or weaknesses, as well as admission of an individual’s own mistakes.  In reality, when truth reflects love and respect, it is appreciated.  Among the rewards of being truthful are that people are able to communicate clearly without deception, which translates into confidence, trust, and progress.  Truth requires confronting your conscience. The weaker a person is, the easier it is to defeat his conscience.  We all fight a battle with temptation, but the person of integrity prevails. 

“Truth is always the strongest argument.”

Sophocles

Everyone needs to know whom he or she can count on.  Who will be loyal at the moment of truth?  However, no allegiance or loyalty can require that a person remain silent in the presence of injustice.  Truthful people speak out against wrongdoing.  If you are part of a team, being loyal, credible and truthful means first voicing your displeasure internally to the team, which gives your teammates and the leaders a chance to correct the problem before taking any concerns outside. 

People or organizations that are afraid of facing truth and justice cause a blurring of the lines between right and wrong.  We have an obligation to model to our young people the moral fiber to decisively act with integrity, honor, and truthfulness and to confront injustices wherever we find them.

“He who walks with integrity walks securely.”

Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV)

Everyone has the opportunity to make choices based on truth, justice, integrity, respect, and responsibility – all of which are necessary to maintain character.  Your true character is revealed every time you make a choice that involves an ethical dimension.

“Nothing survives, but the way we live our lives.”

Jackson Browne

For more information on NAIA Champions of Character please visit www.championsofcharacter.org or email us at championsofcharacter@naia.org.