Have integrity

Integrity — the alignment between one's values, words, and actions — is the foundation of self-trust and earned social respect. Palanski and Yammarino's research on integrity (2007) defines it as behavioral consistency across situations, adherence to moral principles, and word-action alignment, finding that leaders with high integrity build greater trust, commitment, and performance in those around them. Peterson and Seligman's character strengths classification (2004) identifies integrity as a core virtue that encompasses authenticity, honesty, and the courage to act on one's convictions even when it is costly. Research on self-concordance shows that people whose daily behavior aligns with their stated values experience greater well-being, clearer identity, and less internal conflict. Integrity is not about being perfect — it is about being consistent and honest about the gap between who you are and who you aspire to be.

• 1
  There is a significant gap between what you say you value and how you actually spend your time and resources
• 2
  You behave differently depending on who is watching, adjusting your principles to fit the audience
• 3
  You make commitments you do not keep, eroding others' trust in your word
• 4
  You feel fragmented — as though you are playing different roles that do not cohere into an authentic self

Consider these questions to understand where you stand: