Buying with Integrity

Integrity is something life will demand of you. It’s the framework of a good reputation and is required of any job or career. Hell, if you’re attempting to create a personal brand, then you being dishonest is not a good way to start. Sometimes we find it hard to be honest because we may have stressful timelines facing us. There may be peers or even management who don’t actually meet honesty well. You may even work where “INTEGRITY” is a company value sold on the wall of a break-room, but not actively practiced on the production floor. ## Integrity is One of Life’s Currencies We can, and do, run into the same types of problems in our personal lives as well. Understand integrity is not only a universal currency, but also acts as a torch that illuminates a room. You being honest with those around you, especially when it’s hard, means they can rely on you to continue being honest and trust you. This builds rapport. How does this make integrity a currency? Because your reputation will precede you in tough times. When you act with integrity as your standard you won’t find yourself tangled up in situations you shouldn’t. Why? Because you will have demonstrated your standard. Know that people only do what you allow. If you allow your standard to crumble, so will your reputation. ## The Trouble Guy When I talk about being “tangled up in situations”, I mean just that. Ever ran into somebody that somehow always finds themselves caught in a web of problems? They may just be the most unlucky person in the world, but that probability is low. The more likely culprit is that they are the, “Trouble Guy”. If you don’t know the type, you may have heard of them on the 9 o’clock news. There is always a story about the famed, “Florida Man” flashing across TVs all over America. Their woes are bizarre and their history reads like a wacky video game character backstory. It’s just all bad. These types of people never draw personal boundaries. They do not understand that acting with integrity means a fortified character. They don’t see how these actions will attract more situations where your honesty does not feel tested because it’s your standard. You aren’t constantly on trial because it’s ingrained in who you are and what you produce in the world. ## Integrity and Aviation Maintenance Let’s have the honest conversation up front. There are places that will fire you for making a mistake. If you come to your supervisor with a part you broke, equipment you damaged, or a step you missed after a task card is signed off there’s a wrath about to ensue. At the end of bringing your mistake to light you know you’ll be rolling your toolbox off the floor for doing the right thing and being honest. When you find yourself confronted with these types of employers you’ll understand your time is limited there. Whether it’s your choice or theirs is truly up to you. The longer you stay in an environment the more it seeps inside of you and becomes associated with you. Remember, your legacy is what you leave behind. And no, you don’t have to be dead to have a wonderful and strong living legacy, or even a bad one. Why do you think new opportunities usually ask for personal references? Because integrity is a currency.