INTEGRITY AS A TOOL FOR EXCELLENCE
There was once a turkey who was chatting with a bull. They were both enjoying the glorious outdoors when the turkey looked up to a nearby tree with a sigh.
“I wish I could get to the top of that tree, but I don’t have the energy.”
The bull paused before suggesting, “You should snack on my droppings. They are chock full of nutrients.”
The turkey started to feast on the droppings. Much to his surprise, he had enough energy to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
Seeing how well it worked the first time, the next day, the turkey ate more dung and managed to reach the second branch. By the time the fourth day rolled around, the turkey had made it to the top of the tree!
Unfortunately for the proud turkey, a local farmer spotted him on top of the tree. The farmer shot the turkey out of the tree. He was served for dinner.
The moral of the story is that bullshit may get you to the top, but it won’t keep you up there.
On the positive side, excellence backed by integrity will take you to the top. The combination of both will keep you up there.
If you are building for tomorrow, a dynasty that is meant to last, then integrity must be a key factor in the equation. Excellence is sustainable when it is built on a platform of integrity.
There are many people who are excellent in their field of endeavour, yet every opportunity for lifting passes them by, why? They lack the integrity required to match the position or opportunity they aspire to attain. Excellence must be matched with integrity for opportunities to count.
Of what use is an excellent mechanic who steals car parts from his clients and tells lies to cover it up? In spite of his skills, his workshop will soon be deserted once he is uncovered. A man who lacks integrity will not have value, despite his expertise. The same goes for a manager who is stealing from his organization. He will soon be fired despite his managerial skills.
Key nuggets on Integrity as a tool for excellence.
- Integrity is not a gift, it is a choice. It leaves you with a personal responsibility to cultivate it. Integrity is the foundation for any great future. A life of integrity is one of the greatest assets anyone can possess.
- Integrity is doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. Expressions of integrity include dependability, honesty, loyalty, and good judgment. A person of integrity will consistently demonstrate good character by being free of corruption and hypocrisy.
- Who you are determines what you will become. They are people who did not make an impact or enjoy a successful tenure of office due to character deficiency. We see men and women of honour who suddenly become people of dishonor, pursued about heatedly by law enforcement officials due to lack of integrity.
- It’s not enough to get to the top, how you get there and what you do when you get there is crucial. It’s not enough to be rich but the method of getting rich is important. Credibility is an expression of integrity. When the method and foundation is right, then excellence will be sustained. Isaiah 61:3 calls us trees of righteousness, that God may be glorified through us. A child of God who is stealing and cheating is the same as the unbeliever.
- At the root of every destiny crash is integrity failure. Every Sampson who fails to take heed to instruction will find pain at the hands of a Delilah. God expects us to add virtue to our faith. Virtue is an expression of integrity.
For our excellence to count, it has to be built on a platform of integrity.
Living intentionally is our goal.
Article by © Engr. Mrs. Nkese Umofia, President, CYMI
Photo: Alex Shutte and Jon Tyson
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