Right now, I’m going to talk a little bit about integrity.
I just finished up some sessions that got me thinking more about integrity and how I live it out. Honestly, it’s a shame that I even have to talk about this topic. I am continually amazed by the number of people who say one thing but turn around and do something drastically different; sometimes even the complete opposite.
They proclaim one thing, yet their actions are totally over on the other side.
In the last couple of days, I have seen this on multiple occasions with both businesses and salespeople. Please don’t think for a moment that I am putting myself on a pedestal. Trust me, I am just as flawed and weak as everybody else.
It just drives me crazy when I hear and see people who profess and proclaim to be such great business leaders and business experts, but then you go out and see other things about them on the Internet that does not line up.
It’s kind of like a Yelp review for the restaurant that builds themselves up to be so great. Then, you go read the reviews and they are absolutely terrible.
I urge you to stop and think about this for a second: Your reputation rises before you do, and your reputation is comprised of what people say about you when you are not around.
We all know it’s very easy for people to talk about you one way when you are around. It’s when you’re not around that sticks.
What are people saying about you? Are there misunderstandings or bad statements out there? Twice recently, I’ve seen people with things posted on their profiles that are far from the truth; I mean, not even close.
I ask myself: Why integrity? You see, integrity is not in the big things that we do. It’s in the little things unseen. Let me repeat that so you have time to really think on it.
Integrity is not in the big things; it’s in the little things unseen.
This has me thinking and challenging these questions: What does living a life of integrity feel like for me, and what possible bunny trails are out there that may need to be corrected? What about my relationships, the conversations I have had and the comments I have made? I need to take the time to go back and correct them. What things are out on the Internet about me that I need to go pay more attention to?
Conversely, going forward, what actions do I need to change? What actions do you see from yourself that need work?
The fact that we even have to talk about integrity is kind of scary, because we should not have to talk about it. It should instead be demonstrated and seen in everything that you do. There should not be an issue.
That said, I have a question for you:
If someone was asked to define integrity, would they use your name as part of their definition, in a positive manner?
Stop and think about that for a moment. Would they use you as part of their integrity definition if they were asked to list out 25 integrity-filled people? Do you think your name would be on that list?
The point here is that it’s not about what you think integrity is; it’s about what other people think.
I thoroughly enjoy sharing “Mornings with Mark” with you every Friday. These are just my thoughts, so shoot me back yours in the comments below and let me know what you think.
Copyright 2021, Mark Hunter “The Sales Hunter” Sales Motivation Blog. Mark Hunter is the author of A Mind for Sales and High-Profit Prospecting: Powerful Strategies to Find the Best Leads and Drive Breakthrough Sales Results.
