“The need for integrity today is perhaps as great as it has ever been.  It is absolutely essential for anyone who desires to become a person of influence.” – John C. Maxwell

“Integrity is the essence of everything successful.”

Integrity can be defined as uprightness of character and soundness of moral principle. Last we discussed how having a strong sense of character can have a great impact on your ability to excel as a leader.  But it’s more than just having strong character.  Integrity plays an integral part in success.

The Truths about Integrity

• Integrity is not determined by your circumstances
• Integrity is not based on credentials
• Integrity is not to be confused with reputation

 “A life lived with integrity – even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune is a shinning star in whose light others may follow in the years to come. ” – Denis Waitley

Integrity is about the small things

It is the foundation on which respect, dignity and trust are built.  If the foundation of integrity is weak or flawed, then being a person of influence becomes impossible. Anytime you have a break in character, you create a crack in the foundation. It is crucial to maintaining integrity by remembering to take care of these little things:

• Ethics are not flexible
• A little white lie is still a lie
• Theft is still a theft – whether $1 or $1,000,000
• Who you are when you’re by yourself

Integrity commits itself to character over personal gain, to people over things, to service over power, to principle over convenience. Integrity isn’t something that you can just turn on and off at will and still hope to be seen in good light.  You are still the person that you are behind closed doors.  The decisions made both in the public eye as well as in the privacy of your own home determine your character and integrity.  This ultimately affects how the public perceives you and your credibility. The bottom line when it comes to integrity is that it allows others to trust you.

Junior Master Horseman announces the brand new Level Three curriculum, coming in July. Learn more, plus get your copies of Levels One and Two today!

Trevor Ashcraft
AQHA Youth Intern