Integrity

Let's talk about integrity.

There is a reason why integrity is being held as single most important value in your career, among all kinds of skill sets. Because in the end of the day, people will view you in a multi-perspective picture, and they hope the picture stays the same as the perspective changes.

I have yet fully understood the significance of integrity until one day I get to see it from another perspective. In essence, I get to see how a person tried to hide facts from someone who was supposed to know them, in attempt to avoid some unfavorable consequences. While his act is understandable, it is not acceptable because he is hurting others in the benefit of himself. In such case, his integrity will be in danger, much worse than if he stated facts upfront in the first place.

It reminds me days back then, when someone promised me confidently on a task but failed to deliver. It is even worse than being incapable, because lying/boasting will not only devastate your integrity ("You are not doing what you said"), it will drag other's workflow in the team environment as well. 

Now, I should stop accusing others and mention some of my bad deeds. Being an over-achiever, I once took over two responsibilities which schedules perfectly clashed on each other, one I accomplished with full passion, another as persuaded mission. While I put myself in the best light in former, I literally screwed up in the latter. I went on to abruptly quit the task with a resignation letter, and did not followed up ever since. Putting in my superior's angle, it is certainly heartbreaking and nerve-wrecking to see one of your men quitted away, rising red flags on team spirit.

Looking forward, I have been through both sides and now start to see how integrity interplays as leaving impression on others, building reputation and being a credible person. It may cause you some obstacles in climbing corporate ladder, but think deeper, is advancing by reaping others really a good idea?

Think about it.