Are you out of integrity with yourself and others? Ask yourself these questions?

	Who would you try to avoid if you bumped into them?
	Are you involved in any activity, which you won’t reveal to anyone else?
	Are you involved with anyone you wouldn’t readily introduce to your colleagues, family or spiritual leader?
	Do you have debts you don’t or won’t pay?
	Is there anything you do without your spouse or partner’s knowledge?
	Are there things about your life right now that you would rather not tell your children?
	Do you have in your possession things that you borrowed and never returned?
	Do you take credit for others’ work?
	Is there a perfectly good reason for you having two cell phones?
	Do you ever check up on your spouse / partner / children / staff?
	Do you read other people’s mail / e-mails / smses?
	Are your taxes paid up to date?
	Do you allow people to belittle or humiliate you?
	Are you always where you say are?
	Do you promise to do things when you have no intention of doing it?
	Do you misrepresent yourself?
	Are you addicted to any substance or do you have self-destructive habits?

By allowing others to abuse you or your relationship in any way, you are out of integrity with yourself. Shakespeare wrote: “To thine own self be true.” It is self-defeating to give your power away in this manner.
Decide to behave with integrity – it’s a choice. Acting and behaving with integrity creates high energy levels and it heals the body on a cellular level.

Communicate with integrity

How do you respond when there is conflict or a stressful situation at the office? Do you avoid the subject or person? Do you get angry? Do you go into denial?

To start communicating with integrity do the following:

	Everything you say should be true. Do not be tempted to lie about anything. If you are found out people will lose their respect and trust in you.
	Do not gossip or repeat anything you hear. Change the subject subtly when someone starts to gossip.
	Clarify and confirm what the other person is saying before jumping to conclusions. Only respond to feedback once you are certain that you know and understand what was said.
	Stick to the subject at hand. Don’t use a previously bad situation as a weapon in order to gain the upper hand in a conversation, meeting or feedback session.
	Never curse or swear. It is unprofessional and you will lose the respect of others.
	Do not disconnect a telephone call when you feel upset or angry. It is unprofessional to slam down the phone. Stay calm and watch your intention when you speak. Decide to resolve the issue amicably and with respect. If you find it impossible to discuss the issue on the phone, make arrangements to meet. By the time you are face-to-face you would be much calmer and able to resolve your issues.
	Say “please”, “thank you” and “I am sorry” when necessary.
	Do not make decisions about a person based on ‘hear-say’ or reports from others. Speak to the person direct and hear their side.

By Elsabé Manning