Integrity is a small word with a big weight.

According to the dictionary:

in·teg·ri·ty

1. possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards
2. completeness: the state of being complete or undivided
3. wholeness: the state of being sound or undamaged

We, at CraftTek, consider integrity to be the single most important value one can master. An individual with integrity is one with personal guarantee to have the commitment necessary to get the job done. In business it is even more important due to the larger impact of the footprint and the results are magnified affecting many. To be trustworthy means to have the greatest level of Integrity, standing behind strong principles and standards.

Future success is extremely dependent on the level of integrity one possess. For a company, it is the culture that enforces that same behavior. It is not important just to do what is legally binding, it is essential to be ethical in all actions and respect the other parties which includes employees, contractors, partners, and clients. Bottom line is remember the golden rule and to treat others like you would expect to be treated.

You must maintain your integrity even when surrounded by others who don’t have a sense of their own. On the contrary, it becomes easier when you believe in what is right and you have the commitment, every time. When the company’s culture supports it, the whole process becomes a natural occurrence and the rewards are exponential.

The first steps are to be honest with yourself, build character and stand behind what you believe. Treat others with respect and always deliver on your promise, because the first time you don’t it will feel OK the following occasions. Even though this will take time, it is totally worth it. One thing to keep in mind is that when others are dishonest to you or you company, don’t take it personal, just move on because you have already wasted enough time.

So back to the original topic if integrity is important or not. At CraftTek, we believe that integrity is the backbone of successful people; both on a personal level and in business. A company without integrity is worth nothing because sooner or later there will be no one else left to cheat.

It is not a quiescent that one of the core values of the U.S Air Force is “Integrity First.” This is because without integrity there is no trust, and without trust there is no team, and the team is what makes the force so strong. When you act with integrity in everything you do, your life will improve. You will become a magnet to the best people and situations and success will follow you in everything you do.