Claiming Integrity in a Crisis

Insider trading scandals and inflated stockholder reports were the news several years ago. Those actions were typical of the lapses in integrity that have contributed to the problems we now face in our economy.

Regardless of the root cause, regardless of who is to blame, our country is starved for virtuous leaders whose word can be counted on.

In his book, On Becoming a Leader, Warren Bennis writes: “Integrity is the basis of trust, which is not as much an ingredient of leadership as a product” (p. 41). And though trust must be built over a long period of time, it takes only a moment to topple.

Integrity is your foundation, intrinsic to your mission statement. And companies are often judged by how closely they follow their mission statements—by how well their actions measure against their standards (expressed or implied).

To reflect Christ in daily life, the Christian is also called to demonstrate congruence between belief and action.

Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: “Baptized into union with him, you have all put on Christ as a garment” (Gal. 3:27). Our being “clothed” with Christ means our spiritual life is not compartmentalized on a Sunday-only basis, but is a daily expression.

Integrity begins with the spiritual discipline of discernment—which means we seek the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) on issues of right and wrong. Such a discipline is hard work, and much harder than merely following the crowd.

The second step is no less difficult. To know something is wrong is unquestionably easier than to do something about it. We tend to feel strongly about an issue without doing much about the actual problem. Integrity refuses to look the other way; it acts courageously and at personal cost.

Specialist Joseph M. Darby was the lone soldier who alerted the American military in Iraq about the mistreatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. Specialist Darby stated clearly to a New York Times reporter, “The Christian in me says it’s wrong.” Unlike many around him, Darby refused to look the other way.

Integrity is about the promises we make, about statements giving birth to action. To make promises and then keep them is essential to living in the “image of God” (Genesis 1:26). Relationally, integrity means that I will be there no matter what, that I intend to keep my promise even at a high price.

Integrity is the foundation of effective leadership, inner peace, rich relationships, and faith in Christ Jesus.

Questions for discussion:

• What would it mean, within the workplace, to “clothe” ourselves with Christ?
• Why is integrity so essential to both inner peace and public leadership?
• In times of economic difficulty, how can you encourage others with the peace of Christ?