Have you ever slipped some extra money to a parking attendant to let you put your car in a no-parking zone? Or been less than candid when giving feedback to your higher ups? Have you taken any stationery home from your office for your children or printed out their school projects on the high-end colour printer at work? Or done a special favour for a government employee to help your company win a tender?
Most of us believe that chatting, at any level, is wrong but at the same time, we have the magical ability to rationalise behaviour that's not exactly kosher. Our behaviour, that is. The rules are different for other people.
If we're caught parked in the wrong place or overheard sucking up to our bosses, we just shrug it off as "no big deal" or justify it as something that 'everyone does' - and continue to see ourselves as intrinsically honest.
We don't think our behaviour compromises our integrity. We see it as being smart and practical. Isn't it our duty to help our child or our company?
Well, none of these situations is a do-or-die one. Also, laws and work policies guard against illegal activities but have little to say about the moral choices we make every day. That's a matter of personal choice.
But that's what people with integrity hone because whatever we may tell the others, in our heart we all know what's right and what's not. Integrity is about matching our behaviour to that secret knowledge - even if no one is watching.
Psychologists say there are two parts to integrity : transparency and trustworthiness. The first involves being open and honest with everyone, not playing power games or politicking. It's not always easy but it wins you respect.
Being trustworthy requires you to be reliable and deliver on your commitments.
Living with integrity isn't the easiest path to take but there's an easy test for it. "If you're not sure if something is right or wrong, consider whether you'd want it reported in the morning paper".
Try it the next time you're tempted to say or do something dodgy. Maybe you'll end up giving it a pass.
Test yourself often enough and you're likely to become the person who does the right thing because it's right.
Courtesy. Adapted from Shampa Dhar-Kamath's article
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Radhakrishnan and the car fetched up at a quarter past 10.
Lekha exchanged an ornament of her's and we called on the Narayanans. He's better and we passed on Paritosh Nath's gift, for them, handed over to us.
Washed down the Chevy with Lekha's help.
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