Values

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“Integrity, character, and morality are not a 90 percent thing, not a 95 percent thing; either you have them, or you don’t.”
-Unknown

The vast majority of people I have encountered do not want to see other people suffer. They do not want to see other people fail. They do not want to flagrantly degrade or demean someone else. Yes, it happens. Occasionally, out of anger, ignorance, or simply getting caught up in the moment, we make bad choices that can seriously damage not only other feelings, but could also damage our own integrity. These mistakes are not made without apology or reconcile if we still hold on to character, integrity, and morality, however. I guess I see these kinds of people most often because I choose to associate with them, and avoid the other kind.

The "other kind," of course, doesn't care. You know who I'm talking about. The jerks. The bullies. The instigators. They look out for themselves, and don't mind stomping on other people so that they can put themselves on their own self-proclaimed pedestal.

I was in a situation last week where the person in charge of said situation was "the other kind." When your leadership lacks integrity, character, and yes, even morality, the situation is negative for everyone else. Funny... people have a tendency to not want to work hard or well when they feel they are getting screwed. They don't want to work when they are not given credit for what they do. They have a tendency to not listen to somebody who has a vested interest in himself, as opposed to the team.

A lot of people get mixed up in the idea that morality, integrity, and character are religious ideas, and that if you have them, you go to Heaven, and if you don't, you go to Hell, and that's it. They may belong in religions of the world, yes, but allow me to expand this idea further.

I would debate that if you have integrity, character, and morality, that you have the ability to create a positive environment where the people who follow you believe in you and whatever it is you may be trying to accomplish.

I would also debate that if you lack these things people will not follow you. You would have the ability to create a negative environment, one in which people feel they are being taken advantage of, lied to, or perhaps even used. They would question your motives more often, and would not do their best in their duties, because they wouldn't want you to be able to stake claim on their accomplishments. (i.e. Cheating by claiming other's work as your own.)

It's no wonder companies are always asking about your integrity and character during job interviews. Which kind of person is going to a effectively lead a team?

Yes, there are two kinds of people in the world. Which one are you?

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!