NAME RYAN P GARA

PROGRAM HFISMGT
(FISCAL MANAGEMENT)

MODULE SDLSBE201 (Student Development and Life Skills)

REGISTRATION
NUMBER R214510P

QUESTION John C Maxwell describes integrity as

“Who you are when no one else is looking.”
(1993). Guided by this assertion, identify
and explain at least four attributes that contribute to
integrity.
The true meaning of integrity has been misunderstood by society, misleading people into
believing toxic characters as those of integrity. Maxwell (2016), a renowned author and life
coach supports the view that we live in a culture that rewards image over integrity. This essay
going to define integrity, and identify and explain the attributes of integrity. Maxwell’s work
on the laws of growth and leadership shall be used to describe and better understand the
qualities of integrity. Maxwell mentions that society encourages people who appear to be
organised and encourages others to do the same, regardless of any indications of their bad
character. Therefore, there is a need to fully interpret integrity.
Integrity is defined as the art of being whole and undivided. It is being the same person on the
inside as you are on the outside (Maxwell, 2016). Another definition of integrity it that it is a
character aspect that entails giving birth to powerful tenets and using a moral code of ethics
to govern your actions (Indeed Career Guide, n.d.). This is a powerful tool as it allows one to
achieve growth. It is also important to define what the attributes are as they help us identify
the key elements of integrity and give us a better understanding of the subject. The attributes
of integrity are the characteristics or qualities that help define the condition of being whole
and undivided.
Maxwell advises that you can not truly make it without integrity (Maxwell, 2016). In this
context, it is therefore important for one to be honest. This is the first attribute of integrity.
The act of being honest is best described as the deed of being sincere, straightforward and
truthful (Prettylifestylez, 2021). This act can be accomplished by becoming more truthful to
ourselves. Maxwell mentioned that in order for one to become a person of integrity, they
must ask themselves if they are being honest with themselves (Maxwell, 2016). He further
explained we cannot hide from ourselves and therefore we must make decisions that we can
live with. The attribute of honesty does not require people to cry out their opinions, and not
share unnecessary information with everyone. Instead, honesty must be seen as a mechanism
to speak about what needs to be done (SmartCompany, 2015). This encourages trust and
allows society to own up to their mistakes and strive to be truthful (Indeed Career Guide,
n.d.).
Another attribute integrity is fair play. This means sticking to the rules and regulations, or not
changing in other words (Prettylifestylez, 2021). Borrowing from the fundamentals of
honesty, fair play is allowing civilizations to treat each other equally as they would like to be
attended. A person of integrity can make this without using filters such as age, gender and
religious beliefs to deny a person an opportunity based on those facts. Maxwell and Hoskins
(2021) proposed that for people to work together, they must have humility, generosity and
integrity. Maxwell is implying that fair play leads to integrity by allowing people to be
truthful and making them ignore their positions of power so that they may connect.
Furthermore, non-compromise of principles is also an attribute of integrity. Standards must
be held high without being influenced and compromised in any way (Kofa Study, 2022). A
man of integrity is one who lives using his moral compass. He sets rules for his life and the
way it plays out in his favor. Maxwell (2016) commented that it takes discipline and time to
gain things that are of higher value. Non compromise of principles is also a test of the other
attributes’ value, which are principles that guide decisions and behavior in order to reach the
state of integrity (Maxwell and Hoskins, 2021).
In addition, respect is another quality of integrity. Respect is a positive attitude that results
from admiration for a person because of their authority and accomplishments. Maxwell and
Hoskins (2021), advises that we have to learn to relate, support, embrace and to respond to
each other in order to make life work. From this point of view, respect is therefore an active
process of curiously engaging with people without judging their backgrounds. People with
integrity show value for their peers by giving them respect. When people respect you as a
person, friend and leader, they will love, admire and follow you (Maxwell, 2008). They try to
meet their deadlines at work, exercise punctuality, develop interpersonal skills and always
keep other people’s feelings when making a decision (Indeed Career Guide, n.d.). This
encourages people to invest in one another, allowing people to get to know each other much
better. As a result, we can now predict each other’s actions and find ways to help one another.
Respect is earned and is achieved if mutual effort applied (SmartCompany, 2015). In
summary, respect means getting an understanding of what is going on and giving the other
part a chance to raise their concerns (SmartCompany, 2015).
Soundness is also classified as a quality of integrity. This means being mentally alert and
speaking with validity and true premises of arguments. This makes one more articulate in
handling issues in an effective manner (Kofa Study, 2022). Maxwell (2015) protests that if
you do not like the crop, you are reaping you must check the seeds you are planting. The
logic behind the statement was in order to get better results, you must carefully consider what
you learn and how you are going to deliver them. Learning soundness is important as it will
increase the quality of your information output, allowing people to make better decisions.
Speaking eloquently and organizing your thoughts is a great way to achieve soundness. In a
nutshell, soundness is an important virtue in people of integrity. Society must handle issues
freely without flaw and avoid the use of excuses (Prettylifestylez, 2021).
Good judgement is a very important attribute of integrity. Integrity requires critical thinking
skills to make sure good decisions are made where a situation requires one to be made
(Indeed Career Guide, n.d.). We learn how to analyze and evaluate ideas and information in
order to reach sound judgements and conclusions. Maxwell (2016) proposes that we must ask
must ask ourselves three questions in order to maintain integrity. The first question is whether
we are being true to ourselves. He implies that if our actions are causing us shame, we are not
being true to ourselves and must abandon them (Maxwell, 2016). The second question is if
we are being true to our mentors. Mentors are people who believe in our potential and help
fulfil it. It is therefore important not to disappoint such people (Maxwell, 2016). Lastly, we
must question if we are being true to our people. These are our friends, family and
colleagues. We must also strive not to disappoint them (Maxwell, 2016). The idea Maxwell
tried to convey is that we must measure all the angles before making a decision. This enables
us to process all the possible outcomes, leading to good judgement.
Lastly, contentment qualifies to be called a characteristic of integrity. This is the state of
being satisfied at any given time. People in this state do not attempt to be involved in
unhealthy rivalries whilst trying to improve themselves (Kofa Study, 2022). Contentment
allows us to grow to our full potential, a place whereby we are satisfying and are actively
being true to ourselves. Maxwell’s law of environment comments that we have to be in the
right environment if we are to grow to our full potential (Company, 2014). He further
encourages people to be in places that sharpen one’s strengths and allows the population to
perform areas of their natural ability (Company, 2014). It is important to design the
environments we place ourselves in because they will have an impact on our way of life.
Components of the environment are very important as there exists a correlation between the
components of environment and the outcomes. Choosing good components such as
supportive friends will help provide a clear path towards contentment. As a result, it becomes
easier to embrace integrity because one appreciates where they are and have got no reason to
deceive themselves.
In addition to the attributes of integrity, awareness is important when developing integrity.
Having established that integrity is the sum of one’s decisions overtime (Maxwell, 2016), it is
critical to be consciously be aware of each attribute and its impact on your path towards
integrity. It is by consistently repeating these habits that one gains integrity.
In a nutshell, what this study reveals are that there are numerous attributes of integrity and
they all contribute a different perspective in defining integrity. However, much focus should
not be put on trying to master all the areas of integrity but rather devoting to be true to
yourself in order to be successful. In Maxwell’s words; “You can’t truly make it if you don’t
have integrity.” (Maxwell, 2016).
References
Company, T.J.M. (2014). The Law of Environment: Growth Thrives in Conducive
Surroundings. [online] John Maxwell. Available at: https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/the-
law-of-environment-growth-thrives-in-conducive-surroundings/#:
[Accessed 15 October 2022]
Indeed Career Guide. (n.d.). What is Integrity? Definition, Attributes and Examples. [online]
Available at: https://sg.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-integrity.
[Accessed on 16 October 2022]
Kofa Study, 2022 Study. (2022). The Attributes of Integrity/Kofa Study, 2022 Study. [online]
Available at: https://www.Kofa Study, 2022study.com/courses/jss2-civic-education-1st-
term/lessons/definition-of-value-week-1-and-2/topic/the-attributes-of-integrity/.
[Accessed 16 October 2022]
Maxwell, J.C. and Hoskins, R. (2021). Change your world: how anyone can make a
difference. Nashville: Harpercollins Leadership, An Imprint Of Harper Collins, Copyright.
Maxwell, J.C. (2015). The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader: becoming the person others
will want to follow. Nashville, Tn: Thomas Nelson
Maxwell, J.C. (2008). The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership. Nashville, Tenn.. Thomas
Nelson; London.
Maxwell, J. (2016). Building Integrity in an Age of Image. [online] John Maxwell
Available at: https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/building-integrity-in-an-age-of-image/
[Accessed 16 October 2022]
Prettylifestylez (2021). 10 ATTRIBUTES OF INTEGRITY/True test To Genuine Integrity.
[online] PrettylifeStylez.
Available at: https://www.prettylifestylez.com/10-attributes-of-integritytrue-test-to-genuine-
integrity/. [Accessed 14 October 2022]
SmartCompany. (2015). The magnificent seven aspects of integrity. [online]
Available at: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/seven-
components-that-make-up-integrity/.
[Accessed 15 October 2022]