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18 Examples of Integrity

John Spacey, updated on May 14, 2021

Integrity is the practice of behaving well. The origin of the word integrity is the Latin word integer, meaning whole and complete. As such, integrity implies that you live up to your own moral code such that there is no difference between your beliefs and your behavior. The following are common behaviors associated with integrity.

Brave	Candid
Civil	Diligent
Dutiful	Fair
Generous	Giving
Kind	Loyal
Reasonable	Reliable
Respectful	Responsible
Self-control	Sincere
Trustworthy	Truthful

Examples

Admitting to a mistake.

Atoning for a mistake.

Saying what you mean.

Standing up for what is right however difficult it may be. For example, defending someone from a bully.

Working diligently to achieve a goal.

Using your strengths and resources to give to others.

Fulfilling your obligations to family, friends and employers.

Clearly setting expectations when you will not do something. For example, setting an expectation with an employer that you need to work from home when one of your children has a sick day.

Loyalty to family and friends.

Trying to be a productive member of society whereby you contribute to the place where you live.

Being honest, even when it is difficult.

Doing what you should do as opposed to what you want to do. For example, not acting out on negative emotions.

Paying full attention to what you are doing. For example, driving carefully.

Accepting responsibility for your own failures.

Working to atone for things that you have done wrong.

Trying to see the positive side of others to treat them fairly.

Trying to be resilient such that you try to maintain your good behavior in stressful situations. For example, attempting to take the high road when dealing with an unreasonable person.

A process of introspection whereby you regularly examine your own character, thoughts and behavior to try to improve.

Opposite of Integrity

The opposite of integrity is dishonesty, insincerity and hypocrisy whereby you say one thing but do another.

Notes

Integrity doesn't necessarily suggest compliance with rules and norms. Rather, integrity is doing what you think is right. This may certainly involve breaking rules that you view as unjust or simply nonsensical.