Integrity

Integrity dan skognes motivation blogger speaker teacher trainer coach educator

When I was growing up a man’s word meant something. Deals were sealed with a handshake, and it was understood that you would do what you said you would do. Times have changed. Now it is not good enough to give someone your word or shake on a deal. You have contracts that have to be scrutinized by lawyers, it has to be signed, witnessed, and notarized. Agreements these days are written with loopholes and it seems that integrity is no longer the norm. In fact, if you do a handshake deal, you are considered a fool by many.

What happened to integrity? When did it go out with the trash and become something not held in high esteem?  I am not sure I have an answer for that, but I do believe we live in a lawsuit-happy society. You can’t turn on the TV or Radio without hearing a commercial for a lawyer who wants you to sue someone for something. Have you been hit by an 18 wheeler? Have you taken a particular drug and had serious side effects? Have you or someone you know been wronged by your Mama?  OK, I made the last one up….but you get the idea.

I do appreciate what reputable lawyers do for us, but the ambulance chasers give their industry a bad rap. I am sure that the good lawyers roll their eyes just like the rest of us. But, this is not likely to change any time soon. There is too much money to be made in them there hills.

Here are my recommendations in regards to making agreements:

  • Be a person of integrity. Don’t go into any agreement with the thought of how you can get out of it. Do everything within your power to keep your word.
  • Deal with other people of integrity that you can trust.
  • When the time does call for a formal contract, make it good for all parties concerned.

Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but I do believe that we can be people of integrity if our moral compass is not discarded. Let’s make decisions that are for the benefit of all, not just for ourselves. Let’s set the right examples for our children and grandchildren. They are watching closely what we do and how we treat others.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

6 Responses to “Integrity”

  1. Cristina Andreescu says:

    Very well said. Thank you, Dan!

  2. Excellent post like all the posts I have read in your blog. Yes, let us make decisions that are beneficial to all and set examples for the next few generations. But be prepared for your actions – I was expelled from my Lions Club for exposing secret bank accounts. I was not prepared to stand by watching money meant for the needy being used elsewhere. You may read it in my blog: http://www.myclubexperiences.blogspot.com

    • Dan Skognes says:

      The truth always has a price…sometimes it is more than we bargained for, but always worth it in the end. Thanks for you comments. Shalom! Dan

  3. Diane says:

    Very good post. I teach my students to write “regarding” as opposed to “in regards to”.
    I enjoy your wisdom.