Writing about this topic was overdue since long. One thing is for sure, the way integrity, in management, but probably also on private life, as it is connected anyway, is lived and changing should scare one off.
I think its helpful to give an insight in what integrity actually means: Its rather simple.
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes.
And hypocrisy?: Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie.
So, Daniel, whats the point you want to make? okok ... here we go. Its sometimes necessary to clarify terminology, to prevent confusion afterwards.
As integrity itself requires a rather complex concept of parameters to actually have integrity after all, the question is, how are we dealing with the more and more complex world we are living in? A world who is challenging actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes more than ever? Speaking of a globalized business environment, how do we make sure that the Indian and Chinese guy over there share the same parameters as the american and latin american dude here?
We would be lying to ourselves that an open minded environment and intercultural acceptance can tackle this complexity. Speaking of values, principles, expectations - these are concepts which can vary very strong within a few people of the same cultural background already, spreading this over the world - challenging. The problem that occurs - ask yourself - who do you trust in your company, and why? Who do you rely on, and why?
Exactly, you would not answer with tons of names just right now. And those people who you would list here just right now, why would you do so? Exactly, because YOU think you know them, you know their concept of integrity, you know what you can rely on.
But honestly, isn't it poor that you are not able to list all of your colleagues here, just right now? It should be. But why isn't it possible? I personally think, that we generated an army of hypocrites over the last centuries. People who definitely have their concept of integrity --> of being a hypocrite.
Nevertheless, people, especially in Management, lack values and clarification of their concept of integrity. They lack ability to show it an making it clear. If they would do so, what would happen?
On the one hand they would make visible what their value and integrity concept is. Something, that would help the people around to judge and evaluate whether this fits or not. And on the other hand, it would also take away the possibility to act as a hypocrite. Acting as a hypocrite is giving those people the space to be what the should be in this very moment, regardless of anyone else, anything that counts is their personal advance.
Not enough. This culture is even supported or not prevented within organisations, as big companies themselves lack this clarification of the concept of integrity. And, much ore important, its execution! Imagine of how many people in your company actually acted as hypocrites and got promoted to better positions? Dear companies, do you really want this? Because, the result is that you are actually growing a hypocrite culture by putting more of this species in charge of business. The execution of strong values gets harder and harder. And yes, this is the next point. Where do people get judged when they really violate corporate integrity? Have not seen it yet in big companies, but very harsh in small, medium sized companies or family owned businesses - where a hypocrite behavior in general is less accepted than in big companies.
The only way to get integrity back into management and further into companies, is to create a very clear set of corporate values to create integrity and the consequent dispersion of those who are not willed or able to follow this concept. No matter what the cultural, ethnical or any background is - everyone is able to fit a certain value set, but also, any violation has to be executed.
What would we gain? We would create a very open and highly efficient work environment, where people can rely and trust each other based on the values which were set. To, at the end, create value for the organisation without loosing energy and power on hypocrite and political games within the organism.
Daniel
