“Integrity” is one of the most common core values you’ll see in business.
It shows up on walls, websites, and employee handbooks.
And for good reason, integrity matters.
But here’s the problem: for many organizations, integrity is an aspiration, not an expectation. It’s something they want to be known for, but not something they consistently enforce. That’s where the trouble starts.
The Limitations of Integrity as a Core Value
When integrity is just a core value, it often:
- Lives in a document but not in daily decisions.
- Gets interpreted differently from person to person.
- Gets compromised when it’s inconvenient.
In other words….integrity becomes situational.
From Core Value to Non-Negotiable
A non-negotiable changes the conversation.
It’s the line you don’t cross, the behavior you will not tolerate, the standard you enforce even when it costs you. It’s not a statement of hope, it’s a rule you live by.
How Integrity Looks as a Non-Negotiable
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Integrity as a Core Value
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Integrity as a Non-Negotiable
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“We believe in honesty and doing the right thing.”
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“We tell the truth—even when it costs us the client, the sale, or the quarter.”
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“We hold ourselves to high ethical standards.”
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“We never mislead, hide facts, or omit information to protect ourselves.”
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“We value transparency.”
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“We share the hard truths as quickly as the easy ones.”
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When you define integrity as a non-negotiable, you create a clear standard for every decision, every conversation, and every action.
The Impact of Making Integrity Non-Negotiable
- Clarity: Everyone knows the standard and the consequences for violating it.
- Consistency: Integrity isn’t applied situationally; it’s the default setting.
- Trust: Clients, employees, and partners know exactly what to expect from you.
- Stand apart from the competition: Make it specific to your company's culture, direction, and goals.
Because in the end, integrity isn’t what you say you believe, it’s what you refuse to compromise.