In our world today, the number of businesses that exist is so large that counting will wear us out. But one thing that is most important is whether they operate with integrity.
Integrity is so much needed in a workplace that placing emphasis on it is, to say the least. Integrity in business is responsible for building trust and valuable relationships that last.
Whether you're a business owner, executive, or employee, this article will clearly explain what business integrity is, its importance, its principles, and how you can show it at work. So, let's get started already.
What is business integrity?
Business integrity is like the moral compass of a company that directs its affairs. It refers to the ethical principles that guide the decision-making processes in businesses.It involves a commitment to taking action and doing the right thing in an honest and fair way for your workers, customers, and the wider community.
In essence, business integrity aims at helping you build trust and maintain a good reputation by following ethical principles in all areas of your business.
Why is Business Integrity Important in the Workplace?
Working for a company that has integrity as a core value makes it easier to achieve success, both as an individual and as a business. The following are three reasons why business integrity is important because it can help you:1. Build trust
Trust is the solid foundation on which you, as an individual, and your business thrive. Business integrity is very important to you because it helps you build trust among your employees, customers, and the wider community.When people can trust that you'll do exactly what you say with honesty, fairness, and consistency, it can help build trust and confidence in you. This forms the basis for having strong relationships and a healthy work environment.
2. Strengthen your reputation
The same effect a good reputation brings to you as a person is what it brings to a business.Conducting your business in a way that follows legal and ethical standards will contribute to the overall positive image of your business.
Customers and partners prefer to patronize a business that operates with integrity, and this relationship, in turn, will further strengthen your reputation in the workplace.
3. Improve your performance
In the workplace, integrity is a lifeline to which the performance of a business is connected.The more your business activities are done the right way, following ethical practices, the better the culture of accountability and responsibility thrives.
This means that your employees will be more committed to their work, doing all they can to see that your business grows. This will cause efficiency, teamwork, productivity, and the overall performance of your business to improve.
Read also: What is employee participation?
Principles of Business Integrity
Business integrity is guided by certain ethical standards and values, which are referred to as principles. The following are principles that can guide you in maintaining integrity in your business:1. Trust
Trust is like the glue that holds the workplace together. It can determine whether your business succeeds or fails. If you must operate with integrity in your business, then trust must be part of your core value.Your employees, customers, and partners must be able to trust that your yes is yes and your no is no. Trust means keeping your word and being dependable.
No one will rely on your business when trust is absent. By building trust, you're building bridges that connect you deeply with your customers.
2. Quality
Think of quality as giving your best in everything you offer—products or services. By offering quality to your customers, you're operating with integrity.You're simply telling your customers that they can rely on you to give them the best your business can offer. And the fact is, customers need the best from you, and when you do so, they'll see your business as one with integrity.
3. Follow-through
To follow through on something is to see it through to the end—the act of finishing whatever you start. This is a key ethical practice that reveals how much integrity your business operates with.While starting a task or setting a deadline is really noble, actually completing it or meeting the deadline is what reflects integrity.
A customer wants to see that the tasks he or she pays you for are completed as and when agreed. By ensuring that you follow through consistently in your business, you'll be perceived as one with integrity.
4. Respect
There's the saying that goes, "Respect is reciprocal." This is true for both a person and a business. It's all about treating people—your employees, customers, and the wider community—the way you'll want them to treat you.The way you treat customers when they approach your business, place a call to you, or visit your website for patronage will determine whether your business operates with integrity or not.
Fact is, your customers will need proof of the exact thing you claim to have—integrity, so treat them with respect.
5. Corporate citizenship
Corporate citizenship is simply being an active contributor to your community. See your business as a part of the neighborhood, part of the community.And as a member of the community, it's your responsibility to give back to it—to society. You can get involved in charity work, foster the culture of keeping the environment clean through recycling, etc.
All these are activities that will make customers see your business as one that values people and the community and, in turn, operates with integrity.
6. Willingness to change
Another ethical practice that connotes a business with integrity is the willingness to change.As you advance in your business and as you review customer feedback, customer behavior, and their experiences, you'll realize that there's a need to make changes in different aspects of your business.
Customers will value your business when they see that you're doing what it takes to give them the best experience and making adjustments in the process.
7. Accountability
Beyond ethical practices, accountability is a virtue, both in business and personal life. Accountability is taking responsibility for the actions you take on behalf of your business.It is accepting that you made a mistake in the course of your business endeavors and that you're willing to correct them.
It is being honest and transparent with your employees, customers, and partners when you fall below expectations and doing what it takes to make the changes. When they know you're accountable, they'll trust you and be reassured of your integrity status.
Practical Ways to Show Business Integrity at Work
You now have a solid background on what business integrity is about. Some of the ways in which you can show it at your workplace include:1. Honest and open communication
Honest and open communication is an excellent way to show that you operate with integrity.When sharing information, discussing challenges, or giving feedback to your employees or customers, doing so honestly will tell a lot about what your standards are.
By having honest and open communication at your workplace, it helps build trust and healthy relationships that allow everyone to thrive.
2. Fair employment practices
I'd like you to imagine your business as a playfield where everyone has equal opportunities.By being fair with your employment procedures and giving equal opportunity for new talents to grow in your business without showing favoritism or discrimination, you'll be able to show everyone that integrity is a part of your core value.
This shows that everyone gets what they deserve, whether it's in their salaries, benefits, or promotions.
Read also: 7 employee retention strategies
3. Customer-centric approaches
For a moment, see your customers as friends, not just people coming to patronize you. And as friends, you'll want them to be happy and stay so. This involves giving them prompt responses, delivering quality products and services, and prioritizing their needs.When your business activities are geared towards giving your customers the best experience and satisfaction that you can offer, you're showing integrity.
4. Leading by example
The best way to show your employees and customers what integrity is about is to lead by example—show them through your actions.As a leader in your business, you're the role model your employees are looking up to. You need to set the tone of integrity in your workplace.
By demonstrating ethical behaviors and following company policies—don't break them because you're the boss—you can show others how to operate with integrity.
Read also: Leadership agility 101
5. Making it personal
Although we've been focusing on business aspects, you'll be able to show integrity in your workplace when you make it more of a personal thing. You follow the principles of business integrity with so much enthusiasm that it begins to reflect on your business.Taking responsibility for your actions, being accountable, offering quality, and having the willingness to change are some practices you can make personal. By doing so, integrity just announces itself through you.
Conclusion
This article has shown a lot about what business integrity is about, its importance and principles, and, most importantly, how you can show it at your place of work—in your business or career.It is a practical guide that requires you to put what you've learned into practice. It's by practicing these principles that you can actually show integrity in your workplace and in your personal life.
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Leadership