How Morality Shapes Professional Relationships

You log in to work, ready for a productive day, but then it happens again... - Promises made, but never kept. - Leaders preaching values, but playing favorites. - Colleagues who smile to your face but take credit behind your back. Integrity: the most over-promised and under-delivered value in the workplace. But what does integrity at work really mean? - Keeping your word, even when it’s inconvenient. - Recognizing others, even when they’re not in the room. - Making decisions based on principles, not politics. Integrity is the backbone of trust. And trust? - Boosts productivity. - Builds strong teams. - Drives long-term success. Without it: - Teams break down. - Respect disappears. - Work becomes just a paycheck, not a purpose. I’ve been there—I know. If you can’t find integrity in your workplace, bring it yourself: - When a project is tough, don’t sugarcoat it. Be honest about the challenges and propose solutions. - If someone steals your work, have an open conversation and set boundaries, making it clear that this behavior is unacceptable. - When you make a promise, keep it. Build trust one action at a time. Why does this matter? - You may not change the entire culture, but you’ll attract like-minded individuals. - You’ll build a network of people who share your values. - And that network will become your greatest asset. I’ve seen this firsthand. Even after leaving toxic workplaces, I remain connected to those rare, trustworthy colleagues who valued honesty and fairness. Today, they’re not just my network—they’re my friends. That’s worth far more than adapting to a toxic culture for short-term gains. So: - Speak up, even when it’s hard. - Stand firm, even when it’s unpopular. - Build relationships that reflect honesty and respect. Because: Integrity might not give you the fastest promotion, but it will give you something better—a reputation no one can take away. And in time, people will connect to your Wi-Fi-level integrity—because it’s the real deal. * * * ➜ Follow for more posts on how to build life on your term and thrive by choosing integrity when others don’t!

We have been interviewing for additional team members.  It’s not unusual for employment recruiters to reach out to pitch their services. One particularly aggressive recruiter contacted me and said they charge 25% of the first years’ salary for any placement they send our way. After explaining that our regular recruiters average around 15%, he said he could match that and promptly sent me over a recruiting agreement to be signed. When I questioned why the agreement stated 20% rather than the 15% we had agreed on, he said “Don’t worry about that.  I just have to show my boss the 20% but I’ll change the number once we get a candidate placed for you.” The good news: his creative number crunching COULD save us $4,000 - $5,000.  The bad news: it WOULD cost us our integrity by doing business with someone who was just trying to make a fast commission and take advantage of their employer. With one of our core values being Accountability, it makes choices like the one above an easy answer. Defining your core values ahead of time can guide you, your family, and in our case the business towards desired results of integrity.  Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their dishonesty”. When it comes to building relationships and sustaining a successful business, integrity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation. Here’s why: ✔️ Trust is Everything: Without integrity, there's no trust. Without trust, there’s no business relationship that can endure. Every partnership, deal, or client interaction is built on this foundational principle. ✔️ Reputation Precedes You: In our hyper-connected world, a reputation for integrity is your most valuable asset. It speaks before you enter the room and lingers long after you leave. ✔️ Long-Term Gains: Short-term gains without integrity are just that: short-term. They don't lead to sustainable growth or lasting relationships. Integrity paves the way for opportunities that aren’t even on your radar yet. It’s also just the right thing to do. And there’s nothing more important than a clear conscience. Integrity might cost you upfront, sometimes even a deal or two, but it pays dividends in ways that will serve you in the long run. 👉 I’d love to know your thoughts. Has a commitment to integrity impacted your business relationships? What’s your integrity worth to you? ------------------------------------- I’m Rusty Fulling, Founder & CEO of Fulling Management & Accounting. We’re passionate about helping business owners gain clarity, grow their profits and gain peace of mind while supporting your growth as a leader. Click the link in my bio to download our new Cashflow Forecast template 📒

The Role of Integrity in Leadership As I embark on launching a new company with two long-time friends from the health club, spa, and medical wellness industries, I will take on the role of CEO. My goal is to cultivate a high-performance culture rooted in trust and accountability. The leaders we bring on board in the initial months and years will significantly influence how we operate and how we are perceived by our members and the broader community for years to come. Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and adhering to strong moral principles. It encompasses a commitment to ethical standards and consistency in actions, values, methods, and expectations. Furthermore, integrity signifies a sense of wholeness, where individuals or organizations remain true to their values and principles, even amidst challenges. At its essence, integrity is about being authentic and reliable in relationships with others. Integrity is vital in shaping leadership approaches within organizations. Here are several key ways it influences leadership: Building Trust - Leaders who embody integrity cultivate trust among their team members. Trust is fundamental for effective communication, collaboration, and engagement. When employees perceive their leaders as honest and ethical, they are more inclined to support and follow them. Setting an Example - Leaders establish the tone for the organizational culture. By demonstrating integrity, they inspire their teams to embrace similar values, fostering a more ethical workplace where employees feel empowered to act with integrity themselves. Informed Decision-Making - Leaders with integrity are more inclined to make decisions based on ethical considerations rather than immediate gains. This approach often results in sustainable success and enhances the organization’s reputation. Enhancing Employee Morale - When integrity is prioritized by leadership, it creates a positive work environment. Employees feel valued and respected, which boosts morale and job satisfaction, ultimately leading to higher retention rates. Effective Conflict Resolution - Leaders who uphold integrity are better prepared to manage conflicts. They address issues transparently and fairly, which helps resolve disputes constructively and maintains team cohesion. Promoting Long-Term Success -Organizations led by individuals of integrity tend to enjoy long-term success. Their dedication to ethical practices can enhance brand loyalty and foster customer trust, contributing to the organization's sustainability. Fostering Adaptability -Leaders with integrity are often more receptive to feedback and self-reflection. This adaptability promotes continuous improvement and innovation within the organization. In conclusion, integrity is a cornerstone of effective leadership. It shapes how leaders engage with their teams, make decisions, and confront challenges, ultimately influencing the culture and success of the organization. #leadership #culture

Integrity is more than just a moral compass—it's the foundation of trust in our personal and professional lives. At its core, integrity means aligning actions with values, keeping promises, and being honest, even when it’s difficult. In business and leadership, integrity is invaluable. It's what allows teams to trust their leaders, clients to trust a brand, and colleagues to rely on one another. Without integrity, even the most talented individuals can struggle to maintain meaningful relationships or build a sustainable career. But what happens when integrity is lacking? We’ve all encountered those who bend the truth, break promises, or fail to act consistently. These lapses, while sometimes subtle, are noticed and remembered. They erode trust and leave lasting impressions that can harm reputations and relationships. How to Cultivate Integrity: Start with Self-Reflection: Are your actions aligning with your values? If not, what needs to change? Own Your Mistakes: Admitting when you’re wrong builds trust and shows accountability. Be Consistent: Integrity isn’t situational—it should guide your actions in all circumstances. Communicate Honestly: Whether it’s giving feedback or setting expectations, speak with clarity and truth. Integrity isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being real. It’s the willingness to face challenges with honesty and to make decisions that reflect both courage and character. For leaders, it’s the difference between managing and inspiring. #Leadership #Integrity #Trust #ProfessionalGrowth

Integrity isn't a popularity contest. A timeless truth that we often forget: Wrong is wrong, even if everyone else is doing it. Right is right, even if you're the only one doing it. Inspired by my good friend Justin Wright Standing for integrity can elevate your career. Here's why: 1. Trustworthy Reputation: → Integrity sets you apart as a reliable professional. → Earns the trust of peers and superiors 2. Self-Respect and Pride: → Sticking to your morals boosts your self-esteem. → Feel proud doing the right thing even under pressure. 3. Long-term Success: → Ethical behavior leads to sustained career growth. → Reduces the risk of scandals, damaging careers. 4. Positive Work Environment: → Sets a tone of honesty and transparency at work. → Encourages others to act with integrity. 5. Better Decision Making: → Clear ethical standards guide sound decisions. → Navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. 6. Leadership and Influence: → Moral leadership becomes an example for others. → Influences a culture of integrity 7. Enhanced Job Satisfaction: → Knowing you've done the right thing is gold. → Sleep better at night, and enjoy a happier workday. 8. Supportive Network: → Like-minded colleagues gravitate towards integrity. → Builds a network of professionals committed to ethics. Choosing integrity is more than just making good decisions. It shapes: • your character, • your reputation, and • the impact you have on your workplace and society. If you've consistently chosen what's right over what's easy, pause to reflect on the strength it takes to stand alone sometimes. Stick to integrity. It's worth it. ✊🏽 I have worked within the realm of healthcare for my whole career and this is something we talk about often. P.S. Does this resonate? Pass it on ➡️ to your network.