Integrity: Is Your Word Your Bond?

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. James Moore
  • 35 Communications Squadron
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Integrity, this word is often thrown around as a catch-phase during Airmen Leadership School graduations or Dining-In Ceremonies to inspire and motivate audiences, but do we really understand this term.

We often think about integrity as doing the right thing even when no one else is looking, which is true, but what about the integrity of your word and the trust that goes with it. In the not so distant past a hand shake took the place of a written contract. If you told someone you were going to do something and shook on it, it was a done deal.

To go back on your word would be a slap in the face of your integrity and once you lose your integrity it could take years, if ever, restoring it. Can you be trusted? Is your word your bond? Is your integrity such that when you tell your supervisor a task is completed, they know it is done to the best of your ability?

These are all questions you need to ask yourself and if you waver in answering any of them it may be time to reevaluate who you are and how other people see you. Your integrity is precious and helps to define who you are. Guard it as you would a great treasure, because it is. In my opinion, the greatest book ever written (the Bible) states "let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" In other words, if you say you are going to do something, do it and do it to the best of your ability. This advice was good 2,000 years ago and is still good today.