The election fever continues to get hotter as that day draws closer and there is a resounding call for aspiring leaders to demonstrate a spirit of transparency, a culture of accountability and be a leader of integrity. But is it possible for leaders to do so?
In our world of shifting standards, can integrity be acquired by those who don’t have it? Can people give what they don’t have?

Mrs. Marilyn Hodge

The answer is found in the unchanging standard – God’s Word the Bible and this is what this article will focus on today.
In the Webster's Dictionary, the definition of integrity is defined as "Uprightness of character, honesty; the condition, quality, or state of being complete or undivided."
Wikipedia Online defines integrity as “the basing of one’s actions on a consistent framework of principles, and adherence of each level to the next are key determining factors. One is said to have integrity to the extent that everything he or she does and believes is based on the same set of values”.
But what does the Bible have to say about integrity?
1. Integrity means treating people fairly and honestly. (Leviticus 19:35-36, Deut 25:15, Proverbs 16:11-13)
2. Integrity is giving your word and keeping it. (Exodus 8:28-32)
3. Integrity will protect you. In Psalm 25, David prays that integrity and uprightness will protect him. How can it? (Psalm 25:21, Proverbs 2:7-8, 10:9, 11:3, 13:6)
4. Integrity is more valuable than riches. (Proverbs 28:6)
5. The Lord will test and judge your integrity. (1 Chronicles 29:17, Psalm 7:8)
6. The Lord hates lies and lack of integrity. (Zechariah 8:16-17)
7. It may be difficult to maintain your integrity. (Job 2:3, 2:9, Proverbs 29:10)
8. Your character can be corrupted by bad company. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
9. Integrity will be rewarded. (1 Kings 9:4-5, Nehemiah 7:2, Psalm 41:11-12)
10. Your integrity should set an example. (Titus 2:7)
Therefore having self integrity is the foundation of ethical behaviour. With self integrity - our principles, our public behaviour, our decisions are all in alignment and it is easy to make good ethical choices. It is difficult with self-knowledge and self-integrity, to behave contrary to that knowledge. If a person truly has self-integrity, then it is not natural to live in ethical illusions or create ethical dilemmas. Behaving ethically to and with his or herself translates into behaving ethically with other people.
Integrity is as much an intrapersonal phenomenon as it is an interpersonal one: commitments and resolutions uttered to oneself are no less important than ones made to others. Moreover, as Shakespeare noted, if we are true to ourselves, we are more likely to be true to others: "This above all—to thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

Having integrity means you know yourself well enough to not settle for anything that doesn't represent your values, beliefs, and overall well-being. A person has integrity when no schism or division exists between what he or she says and what he or she does, when there is congruence between his or her words and his or her actions.
That means we can’t say one thing and then do something else. To act with integrity, we must “walk our talk.” There are people I am sure whom you admire and emulate not because of what they said, but what they did or do. Just being in their presence makes others want to be better. That’s leadership by example! With that said - can integrity be learned? Can people demonstrate it? Can our leaders demonstrate integrity? Simple, yes, but it will not always be easy! So when we feel internal conflict and dis-ease, we can bet there is a clash of ethics.
Integrity is about a political leader following up on his or her pre-election promises to his or her constituents. The words that the politicians utter to the people are important, as are the words that we utter to our friend committing ourselves to be at a particular place at a particular time. If we can't act with integrity, our power will erode our judgment and assure eventual failure.
Leading with integrity is one of the great challenges of leadership but it can be overcome. You see, no one is born with godly character. But by studying God’s Word and listening to His Holy Spirit, we can learn to hate falsehood and love integrity. Hence leaders are called upon to adhere to a code of values and soundness.
David the psalmist did not head a multinational corporation. But he did rule over a Kingdom, and he was serious about doing what was right. He recognized how easy it is to slide down the slippery path of unethical behaviour simply because it seems advantageous. So David asked God, “Teach me Your statutes” (Ps.119:124). “Give me understanding,” he said, “that I may know Your testimonies” (v.125) David hated “every false way”, and based his life on the principle that “all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right” (v.128).
David realized that he could not do it on his own so he sought God and cried out for help. All leaders too perhaps should do the same. Therefore, here is a three step formula that leaders can use to improving their integrity as a leader:
Step One: Seek the best for others. Leaders with integrity ignore self-interest and personal gain, and reach out to do the best for those they lead. Leaders with integrity are not the stereotypical boss, barking out orders for others to follow. Leaders with integrity are more like shepherds. They pursue the best for others, and watch after their flock.
Step Two: Practice good stewardship. Leaders with integrity work to guard the resources of the group. That means spending funds wisely, using volunteers fairly, and properly utilizing and developing followers. Leaders with integrity are like farmers. They take care of the land, guard the crops, and maintain the resources.
Step Three: Never forget your constituents. Leaders with integrity always keep their followers in mind. They are constantly looking for ways to lead, to take responsibility, and to do a better job as a leader. Leaders with integrity are like good parents. They are always thinking about their children.
In a nutshell, the most important thing is this..
Respect yourself enough to stay true to your values, beliefs, character, and overall uniqueness. Do not allow yourself to represent anything other than that. And if you are able to do this, you will be the role model for the definition of integrity.
Remember: The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out. So strive to be the best leader you can. That means leading with integrity.

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