Archive for the ‘Introduction’ Category

Letters On Integrity – An Introduction

“Integrity and firmness are all I can promise.  These be the voyage, long and short, never shall forsake me”
- George Washington

Washington’s words were compelling and relevant then.  They remain so, today.  It was early April, 1789, when  the 57-year-old President-Elect wrote to his friend, John Knox, commenting about the task that was set before him as he assumed the Presidency of a fragile Republic.  His mission?  Integrity!  

Few American professionals are called to national leadership; but all professionals are called to their own Integrity Mission at home, at work, and in the community.

Integrity’s mission in America is timeless and timely.  It moves on personal initiative.  It functions as the compass of our performance character to indicate whether we resonate with True North clarity in our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.

Integrity’s mission is never complete.   Some days, we fail.  Other days we soar. In the last eighteen months our national collective psyche has taken a deep breath as we have watched, listened and talked about the seismic tremors in our economy and society seemingly endlessly propelled by integrity’s vanishing act on Wall Street, Main Street and in the corridors of Congress.

Integrity’s personal influence for Good is the needed daily vitamin for the societal angst we feel.  Influence is about an individual’s personal choice to act as the daily decision maker who aspires to standards of performance character…based on a rock-solid foundation that knows…whether I meet my personal standards… I continuously re-commit myself to get back up on my horse of integrity and ride!

The  Letters of Integrity explore the seven Performance Character Integrity Assets that provide the standards, the framework, the structure for saddling up daily.  The Integrity Assets focus on seven personal and professional self-management skills.  Together, they serve as the compass we carry to ride with integrity daily… often times succeeding, other times failing….but always pointed in the direction of self-trust and trustworthiness at home, at work, in our communities.

Managing Choice: Today, I practice personal responsibility for my thoughts, feelings and actions.

Managing Conflict: Today, I practice respect for self and others as I meet with both succsss and failure.

Managing Contribution: Today, I practice serving others using my unique talents and abilities.

Managing Clarity: Today, I practice my plan of action to accomplish my mission and goals.

Managing Cause and Effect: Today, I practice releasing the Lesser to achive the More.

Managing Cooperation: Today, I pracitce being connected to God and to others.

Managing Completions: Today, I persevere knowing it is always too soon to give up.

Mission Integrity Action

As I pursue a productive week, I hold an Integrity Mission question in the background of my awareness.  I carry the Integrity Mission question everywhere I go.  The question: Are the actions I take today moving me forward on my Integrity Mission or causing me to stumble?

Appreciating you on the ethical edge!

Russell Williams, Founder/President
Passkeys Foundation/Ethical Edge
www.ethicaledge.org