What is integrity in the workplace?

Key takeaways:

• Integrity means being honest, following strong moral principles, and doing the right thing, even when no one is around to notice.

• Integrity involves being honest and reliable, both in your personal life and at work.

• Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions, whether they have good or bad outcomes.

• To act with integrity, you must make decisions based on fairness, values, and what is best for everyone, not just your own benefit.

What is integrity, in simple words?

Assume you’re playing a game and promise to follow the rules even if no one is watching. Integrity is about doing the right thing even when there are no external rewards or penalties. It is about being honest and trustworthy, even if it is difficult or inconvenient.

Integrity is not something you either have or don’t have; it is something you can learn and improve over time. It is about developing moral principles and adhering to them regardless of the circumstances.

Integrity in the workplace

In the workplace, reputation is everything. Having integrity helps you build a strong, ethical reputation that others respect and trust. Those with integrity are seen as dependable, fair, and consistent in their actions, and these qualities make them stand out for leadership roles and promotions.

For example, integrity is essential when designing courses in an e-learning platform. If a content engineer publishes a course with inaccurate information or fails to acknowledge sources, it undermines the credibility of the platform and the learning experience. However, if the course content is thoroughly researched and transparent, it builds trust with learners.

In the workplace, integrity can be divided into several levels, each influencing different aspects of professional conduct. Here’s how integrity can be understood at different levels:

1. Individual level: This involves honesty, accountability, and ethical decision-making in daily tasks.

2. Team level: This involves integrity within teams. It is demonstrated through collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect, encouraging trust and cooperation.

3. Leadership level: It is demonstrated by making fair, ethical decisions and creating an environment where transparency and ethical behavior are prioritized.

4. Organizational level: This type reflects the company values, mission, and ethical principles, which prompts a culture of responsibility, and trust.

The seven attributes of integrity in the workplace

The following seven attributes serve as a foundation for integrity in the workplace:

1. Honesty: The first attribute emphasizes truthfulness in communication and reporting. If a manager has an issue with product delivery, honestly communicating the problem to the team and clients builds trust and allows for timely resolution.

2. Responsibility: The second attribute is accepting responsibility for your actions, whether positive or negative. If you missed a product delivery date, accept responsibility, explain the situation, and attempt to find a solution.

3. Respect: The third attribute is acknowledging the value of others and treating them with dignity. In a collaborative project, always respect others’ ideas and contributions, even if you disagree with their approach.

4. Ethical decision-making: The fourth attribute involves making decisions based on a clear set of values and fairness. For example, when reviewing a course's content, make sure it’s inclusive and accessible to all learners without bias.

5. Accountability: The fifth attribute is being answerable for your actions and commitments. For example, as a content reviewer, if you miss an error in the course material, hold yourself accountable and make the necessary corrections.

6. Trustworthiness: The sixth attribute is being reliable and dependable. For example, you should ensure that all deadlines are met and commitments are honored so that your coworkers and clients can rely on you.

7. Loyalty: The seventh attribute is supporting your team, company, and mission. For example, a software developer consistently works late to fix critical bugs, ensuring the platform’s reliability, even when the task is outside their regular duties, because they are committed to the company’s mission of providing a seamless learning experience.

Why is workplace integrity important?

Workplace integrity is crucial because it encourages a culture of trust, respect, and responsibility. It directly impacts employee morale, performance, and the overall success of the organization. Here’s why it’s important:

How to handle disagreements with coworkers

Disagreements are natural in the workplace, but handling them with integrity leads to constructive outcomes. Here are some of the tips to handle disagreements with coworkers:

1. Always understand the other person’s perspective before responding.

2. Keep emotions in check and approach the situation with respect.

3. Focus on shared goals and work toward a solution that benefits both parties.

4. If you are at fault, admit it and work to make things right.

By handling conflicts with integrity, we can maintain trust, strengthen relationships, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

10 integrity tips to practice in the workplace