Integrity and Character

CHARACTER: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

INTEGRITY: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Other than “love”, there may not be any other words in the English language that are as important to developing who you are as an individual. If asked, a person may use these words interchangeably, but there is a very distinct difference. Character has a spectrum whereas integrity is uncompromising. You can display “poor character” and in that, integrity can not exist. But having integrity, “good character” is intertwined into a beautiful relationship. “Character” has always been explained to me as “who you are when no one is watching…” if you could rob a bank and know that you’d get away with it, would you do it? If you could cheat in a game, cheat on your taxes, cheat on your spouse… when it’s just you and you… would you do it? A biproduct of living life is making decisions. As your decisions become habits, your character is formed. If I interviewed five people that are the closest to you, how would they rate your character? Do you do what you say you’re going to do? Can you be trusted with big and small things? Would they say you’re a person of integrity? I challenge you to look within yourself to answer some tough questions about who you really are.

I also want to pose to you the idea that these two words are on the endangered species list in our society today. With contracts and terms of agreement (like we really read those…), we’re taking away from what it should really be about… your WORD! What happened to a hand shake, eye contact, and your word to do what you say you’re going to do? There’s a news story every day about a person or business doing whatever it takes to get ahead, no matter who or what they step on to get to the top. If you decide to adopt the practice of poor character and no integrity, both personally and professionally, you will find yourself in a very bad spot. Proverbs 11:3 says “Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.”

No one can decide your character but you… no one can force you to have integrity… I can say it’s been an incredible honor to work with a company where good character and integrity are the cornerstone of what Wright Equipment has been built upon. Each and every day, we’re striving to make a superior product along with a superior process to serve the needs of our customers. We don’t claim perfection, but when something unplanned or unforeseen happens, we do whatever it takes to make things right! At Wright Equipment are dedicated to making every experience with us a great one. Continue with us on this journey to serve you and keep the ideals of good character and integrity at the top of our priority list! Have a blessed day!

Matt