What a good saying - 100% is easier than 98%. I definitely agree. Once you've set a bar, both for your inner thoughts and your outer behaviour, it's often more difficult to fend off people who want you to bend the line just a little.... So many times I've watched people who have a zero drink and drive policy being encouraged to 'have just one'....
I am glad it resonates, "just have one" the famous last words. Once you have decided through your inner thoughts, the outer behavior will tend to align. Thank you for engaging Dr Nia.
Integrity is so important. Especially when working with others who are not devoted to it.
I had a Partner pressure me to write something inaccurate for case. Not just once, but for multiple cases. The Partner cared so much about winning, the truth mattered less to her. I refused every time. Which put me in a very difficult spot with her. But that was her, and she exhibited a troubling temperament in most interactions she had.
I found out later that she was being reprimanded for her behavior. But it didn’t do much to change her as a person, and it didn’t alter her position in the law firm, either.
I just tried my best to steer clear of her.
Working with people who have integrity is a joy. It’s sad when one or two bad apples can make things go sour so fast.
I appreciate you sharing that difficult experience with the unethical partner who pressured you to be dishonest. It took a lot of integrity for you to stand your ground and refuse to compromise the truth, even though it created major problems with her. Situations like that are really tough, but you did the right thing by sticking to your principles no matter how hard she pushed. Its stories like yours that keep us going. Thank you for sharing Marisa :-).
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Tinashe. It helps to share what happened, even now. There’s something so healing about sharing what’s happened to you and allowing yourself to be seen. I can still remember how difficult it was to go through, especially when I couldn’t talk about it at the time. Thanks again for your support & for the restack :-)
You’re completely right Tinashe. But I wonder how this applies to people who lack a conscience (of which there are many in this world, often rich and powerful because of it).
You are right, dealing with people without conscience is very difficult.
There are no simple solutions for changing someone who only cares about themselves and has no moral guidelines. If we could this place would be "better". Thanks for that question, Joanna.
Very interesting question, Joanna. I think the more powerful one is, the less the incentive to practice integrity. They simply can get away with it anyway. Perhaps we aren't as good as we think, perhaps we just lack the means, or perhaps power and money just attract the compromised (from a neurobiological angle, even) thus cannot practice ethics.
But most people aren't in this category; many of us will pay for unethical acts, which is why Tinashe's observations apply.
Those with a lot of money, influence, and power can sometimes get away with unethical acts. But for the rest of us, compromising our values even a little bit can lead down a slippery slope and have major negative consequences we can't avoid. The popular phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely" speaks volumes.
Totally agree, I've seen many change after obtaining just a little power - a rise in the social latter, a promotion in the workplace, followers on social media, etc.
This discussion is an important one; no one is above the corrupting effects of power.
You’re right Patrick. I think even if you are very rich and powerful there’s no escaping the trip up that eventually comes if you don’t keep your integrity in tact. It can happen in different ways, through damaged relationships, personal and professional. Corruption, like signs of a flame causing fire, ends up being spotted in the end, immediately or further down the line. Just look at the long list of public/leadership figures facing their downfall in recent years.
"When you always act with integrity, you build a reputation for being an honest and trustworthy person". This is so true - I always took the more integrity-based path in my career, which led me to run a successful business in the music industry for 17 years. I saw so many other companies flash bright and burn out quickly while I steadily climbed, and I truly believe it's because I acted with integrity.
This is so important Tinashe - I think that building a moral compass and setting a good example for others can have such a big impact. Striving to live as ethically as we possibly can is a good approach to life. Challenging but also rewarding 😊
We start by focusing on us and then our circle of influence and hope that it spread outs to others. Thanks for sharing this perspective Leah , glad to have you here 😊.
With ethics and integrity, it's best to try to be an absolutist, because the you only need to relax the rules once to change everything. What was unacceptable feels okay the second time, and justifiable the third. The fourth time, we no longer see it as something wrong.
This is great persuasion, Tinashe, on the importance of doing the right thing, even when we'd get away with not doing it.
I love the saying that it’s easier to hold your principles 100% of the time than 98% - it’s so true - slippery slope I guess
True - the 2% normally leads to less desired outcomes. Thank you for engaging Kevan, glad to have you here.
What a good saying - 100% is easier than 98%. I definitely agree. Once you've set a bar, both for your inner thoughts and your outer behaviour, it's often more difficult to fend off people who want you to bend the line just a little.... So many times I've watched people who have a zero drink and drive policy being encouraged to 'have just one'....
I am glad it resonates, "just have one" the famous last words. Once you have decided through your inner thoughts, the outer behavior will tend to align. Thank you for engaging Dr Nia.
I love that age-old philosophies ring true. The stuff our parents taught us was right. Tough but true. Sometimes so hard to do the right thing.
Agreed , its tough but true. I am glad it resonates Jeanine:-).
Great one, Tinashe.
Integrity is so important. Especially when working with others who are not devoted to it.
I had a Partner pressure me to write something inaccurate for case. Not just once, but for multiple cases. The Partner cared so much about winning, the truth mattered less to her. I refused every time. Which put me in a very difficult spot with her. But that was her, and she exhibited a troubling temperament in most interactions she had.
I found out later that she was being reprimanded for her behavior. But it didn’t do much to change her as a person, and it didn’t alter her position in the law firm, either.
I just tried my best to steer clear of her.
Working with people who have integrity is a joy. It’s sad when one or two bad apples can make things go sour so fast.
I appreciate you sharing that difficult experience with the unethical partner who pressured you to be dishonest. It took a lot of integrity for you to stand your ground and refuse to compromise the truth, even though it created major problems with her. Situations like that are really tough, but you did the right thing by sticking to your principles no matter how hard she pushed. Its stories like yours that keep us going. Thank you for sharing Marisa :-).
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Tinashe. It helps to share what happened, even now. There’s something so healing about sharing what’s happened to you and allowing yourself to be seen. I can still remember how difficult it was to go through, especially when I couldn’t talk about it at the time. Thanks again for your support & for the restack :-)
I know it's been said a couple times but that C. Christensen quote was too real! This was a great read!
I am glad it resonates Tamia, thank you for engaging and being here 😊.
Of course!
You’re completely right Tinashe. But I wonder how this applies to people who lack a conscience (of which there are many in this world, often rich and powerful because of it).
You are right, dealing with people without conscience is very difficult.
There are no simple solutions for changing someone who only cares about themselves and has no moral guidelines. If we could this place would be "better". Thanks for that question, Joanna.
Very interesting question, Joanna. I think the more powerful one is, the less the incentive to practice integrity. They simply can get away with it anyway. Perhaps we aren't as good as we think, perhaps we just lack the means, or perhaps power and money just attract the compromised (from a neurobiological angle, even) thus cannot practice ethics.
But most people aren't in this category; many of us will pay for unethical acts, which is why Tinashe's observations apply.
Those with a lot of money, influence, and power can sometimes get away with unethical acts. But for the rest of us, compromising our values even a little bit can lead down a slippery slope and have major negative consequences we can't avoid. The popular phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely" speaks volumes.
Totally agree, I've seen many change after obtaining just a little power - a rise in the social latter, a promotion in the workplace, followers on social media, etc.
This discussion is an important one; no one is above the corrupting effects of power.
You’re right Patrick. I think even if you are very rich and powerful there’s no escaping the trip up that eventually comes if you don’t keep your integrity in tact. It can happen in different ways, through damaged relationships, personal and professional. Corruption, like signs of a flame causing fire, ends up being spotted in the end, immediately or further down the line. Just look at the long list of public/leadership figures facing their downfall in recent years.
Yeah, something happens, eventually ... and this downfall really hurts, especially for people used to influence and power.
Great reminder to be a person of integrity. Especially when it seems a little lax of integrity is becoming the expected norm.
Thank you for commenting Wayne , we must be not always follow the crowd.
I think it was Bob Proctor who said if you see a crowd, usually you should go the opposite direction😊
"When you always act with integrity, you build a reputation for being an honest and trustworthy person". This is so true - I always took the more integrity-based path in my career, which led me to run a successful business in the music industry for 17 years. I saw so many other companies flash bright and burn out quickly while I steadily climbed, and I truly believe it's because I acted with integrity.
That is a great example Elizabeth , the journey is worth while with integrity. Thank you for engaging and glad to have you here :-).
Indeed, it is a slippery slope. Much better to steer clear.
Agreed, thank you for engaging Frankie.
Wise words, Tinashe! That Clay Christensen quote is one of my favorites. It's something I always think about when I want to cut corners.
I am glad it resonates Chris , thanks for engaging.
"Just this once..." Famous last words. This rings true, even though the truth is not necessarily comfortable. Thank you for a good reminder, Tinashe
Thank you for engaging and sharing your views Sharon , glad to have you here as always 😊.
This is so important Tinashe - I think that building a moral compass and setting a good example for others can have such a big impact. Striving to live as ethically as we possibly can is a good approach to life. Challenging but also rewarding 😊
We start by focusing on us and then our circle of influence and hope that it spread outs to others. Thanks for sharing this perspective Leah , glad to have you here 😊.
Great piece, Tinashe! We must never compromise our integrity or risk losing it forever.
Thank you for the feedback bro, 100% is always the safest option.
My brain is so broken that I would return the wallet to avoid getting myself caught up in an international weapons smuggling operation. :P
Thanks for engaging Kevin.
The 100% vs 98% quote was very powerful!
I am glad it resonates Priya, thanks for engaging.
With ethics and integrity, it's best to try to be an absolutist, because the you only need to relax the rules once to change everything. What was unacceptable feels okay the second time, and justifiable the third. The fourth time, we no longer see it as something wrong.
This is great persuasion, Tinashe, on the importance of doing the right thing, even when we'd get away with not doing it.
Agreed, I have often heard this phrase "just this once" returning to bit.
Thank you for engaging Patrick.