Topic: Integrity and Reputation
Idioms:
Get sucked into: Become involved in something, perhaps unexpectedly or without full understanding. “I
meant to watch TV for just a few minutes, but got sucked in by a long movie.”
In the long run: Over a long period of time, in the end. “In the long run, saving money is smarter than
spending it.”
Stick with: Stay with. “I know it’s a dangerous area, but stick with me and you’ll be okay.”
Take its toll: Be damaging or harmful. “Working 60 hours a week has taken its toll on my health.”
Easier said than done: Something that seems like a good idea but it would be difficult to do. “The doctor
says I should stop smoking, but that's easier said than done.”
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Adapted from “Integrity versus reputation…” by Jason Shick
(http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/integrity-versus-reputation-996687.html)
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Reputation is how people perceive you. Integrity implies doing the right thing for the right reasons. Please
don’t confuse integrity with reputation. As you develop yourself and become a person of character that is
able to influence a following, it’s sometimes easy to get sucked into thinking that as long as your reputation
is outstanding, then you’re fine. This is simply not true.
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Sometimes a leader has an outstanding reputation but there is little or nothing to their character. Have you
ever worked for somebody that everyone thought was the most wonderful person, but you knew
differently? That’s a classic example of integrity and character versus reputation or popularity. With good
marketing, reputation can be fabricated for the short term, but it always fails in the long run. People who
are not deeply honest have a hard time finding committed followers. They may have people who stick with
them for many years, but those people are typically following a paycheck, not a person. They are not
committed to the vision. In fact, deep down they may really dislike the job and their leader which in turn
may cause them to speak poorly of their organization. This eventually destroys the false, shallow reputation.
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The antithesis of this is when a person has tremendous integrity but their reputation has been run through
the mud. This can happen for a variety of reasons; perhaps unpopular choices or difficult situations have
taken their toll on your organization. If you find yourself in this position, it is important to act with integrity
in all you do if you ever hope for things to change… and they will change. Reputation is fickle; character is
enduring. The tide changes with reputation quite frequently. It’s more volatile than the New York stock
exchange. The unfortunate and harsh reality is, if this is something you can’t handle, you may want to
reconsider being in a leadership position.
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But if you’ve decided you can handle it and you realize it comes with the territory, then the best thing to do
is try to ignore it. This is easier said than done sometimes, but you must decide who you are going to
become and head boldly in that direction. Never waver from your core values when making decisions based
on how it might affect your reputation or how people might view you. In the end, sincere integrity will rise
above reputation every time.
Questions
1. Which do you think is more important—reputation or integrity? Why?
2. Have you seen examples of people who value reputation more than integrity?
3. Can you think of times when integrity and honesty can be difficult?
4. Is it possible for a person to always live a life of integrity?
Quotes
 “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or
not.” Oprah Winfrey
 “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” –
Proverbs 10:9
 “Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life—all areas of life.” – Zig Ziglar