We all love comfort yet we know integrity is everything

Although our LIFT Collective is taking a big break to Reflect, Rest and Refuel from 16 December 2021 through to 31 January 2022 (with the exception of our monthly executive leadership coaching programs) I’ve pre-recorded our regular Little LIFTs to make sure I can stay connected with you.

Do you remember Norm, the main character from the 70’s and 80’s Life. Be in it health promotion campaign? How visionary was this: 40+ years ago!

Norm always chose the comfort of the numbing TV over the courage to be vulnerable and get active, and we could see the results of his choice… less courage, less connection, so less happy in who he was — and way less agility.

^{Image: thanks Peter Barrett}

Today, I’m releasing Integrity, the next video instalment, in my BRAVING, (Re)building Trust series. It’s a couple of minutes longer than usual, but Integrity is a big topic!

What comes to mind when you think about integrity? What does integrity mean to you?

Dr Brené Brown’s definition of integrity is about choosing courage over comfort; doing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy; and practising values, not just professing them. In my video, I explain each of these elements in more detail.

I implore you to spend a little time reflecting on your own existing values (or sit down and take this opportunity to establish your values right now, before another day starts).

This practise helps you clarify what integrity means for you and gives you the place to return to whenever things get a little turbulent and uncertain; your own positive anchor ⚓ or north star ✨

For example, as I talk about in the video, one of my closely held values is curiosity. When I find I’m not being curious, I examine this a little closer by asking myself three questions:

Is my behaviour aligned to my value(s)?

If not, is not being aligned to my value(s) serving me well right now?

How can I come back to my value(s) and regain my integrity?

By doing this, I create alignment with myself — as a result, I feel better + act better (funnily enough, vice versa!) = authentic!

I’ve always found the concept of comfort versus courage fascinating. Unsurprisingly, so do many others. I recently read James Clear’s Atomic Habits and found fantastic connection between his and LIFT’s work. I’ve combined one of his 3-2-1 quotes with my own thoughts below:

"Are you willing to be uncomfortable for 5 minutes?

Regular exercising or cooking dinner each night (or sticking to your values each day) are all easier once you develop a habit.

But these many rewards in life (including integrity) will elude you if you're not willing to be a little uncomfortable at first."

I also share some words of immense wisdom from Jack Kelly, a gentleman who reached 98 years of age. His was a powerful perspective, firmly grounded in values, reality, and humour, and we really would do well to apply some of his unshakeable “walking our talk” action to our own lives.

If organisations want a culture of trust, one core factor is whether their people live the values displayed on the walls (or are professed in their brand). For that to happen, it’s absolutely essential to clarify exactly what are the specific behaviours which exemplify each of those values, so that individuals and teams can share a common understand and align together.

When we see values alignment, we see integrity, and that builds trust!

Find out how to practise the 5^th element of BRAVING Trust in my 20 minute video, Integrity, at the top of this post 👆

Enjoy and see you soon for the next BRAVING element, being Non-Judgmental, on our path to BRAVING and (Re)building Trust…