Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Integrity and Your Life
So often we hear people say, "Just trust me," and in response we feel the hairs on the back of our neck vibrate. How can we know who and what to trust? What research are you willing to do to make sure that expectation and promises will be fulfilled? How can you get the track record on the person you are evaluating?
Some reminders:
1. Before you assess the integrity of another, be honest with yourself about the quality and level of your own integrity. How truthful and authentic are you with people? Can they trust you to keep your word and to provide a quality and promised product or result? Do you make promises -- results that are produced by X time -- or do you communicate the "I'll try" statement? Are you clear with others about the expectations you have of them that are required for you to fulfill your promise? (A mutual expectation and delineation of results that each of you must produce put in writing is powerful.) Do you keep your word with yourself? Do you exaggerate your stories or tell half truths supposedly to protect others?
2. Do not jump at time-bound sales promises. Usually those deals are available again later if someone really wants your business or is truly interested in providing a good service. The "deal" is based on a bottom line that will still produce income to the seller. If someone can do the deal for less, then the real price is probably exaggerated to begin with.
3. Check the history and service/product of the person on the internet, others who have worked with them in the past, and ask for some names of people who were unhappy with the work. If someone is willing to give you the name of someone who cancelled the contract or who communicated their displeasure, the integrity meter goes up a notch.
4. Decisions made in emergencies are often made without effective research. The product, the provider of the service and the cost are likely to be inflated.
5. Evaluate the product and person as to whether their values and principles are in alignment with yours. They may be able to do and provide what they say, but if the values communicated in the results are not consistent with yours, what would it matter.
6. Communicate at the earliest possible moment any breakdowns in the project. If there is not resolution to the breakdown, withdraw from the contract and the provider. Put your complaints in writing and submit to the service provider, the Better Business Bureau, and be sure to tell anyone that either referred you to this business or to anyone you might have referred.
7. Your name and reputation is significant in the commitment to have a long-standing and competent business. If you are dealing with someone who does not share that commitment, refrain from doing business with them. Remember that the business that you hire to do something for you is representing you and your name and your business. It is your name that is on the line.
8. Be willing to check deeper when your gut whispers that something is wrong, even if it happens with friends and family members. Trust you listening and it will be more and more helpful to you over the years. If anyone is offended about your investigation, there may be more reason to research even deeper.
Some reminders:
1. Before you assess the integrity of another, be honest with yourself about the quality and level of your own integrity. How truthful and authentic are you with people? Can they trust you to keep your word and to provide a quality and promised product or result? Do you make promises -- results that are produced by X time -- or do you communicate the "I'll try" statement? Are you clear with others about the expectations you have of them that are required for you to fulfill your promise? (A mutual expectation and delineation of results that each of you must produce put in writing is powerful.) Do you keep your word with yourself? Do you exaggerate your stories or tell half truths supposedly to protect others?
2. Do not jump at time-bound sales promises. Usually those deals are available again later if someone really wants your business or is truly interested in providing a good service. The "deal" is based on a bottom line that will still produce income to the seller. If someone can do the deal for less, then the real price is probably exaggerated to begin with.
3. Check the history and service/product of the person on the internet, others who have worked with them in the past, and ask for some names of people who were unhappy with the work. If someone is willing to give you the name of someone who cancelled the contract or who communicated their displeasure, the integrity meter goes up a notch.
4. Decisions made in emergencies are often made without effective research. The product, the provider of the service and the cost are likely to be inflated.
5. Evaluate the product and person as to whether their values and principles are in alignment with yours. They may be able to do and provide what they say, but if the values communicated in the results are not consistent with yours, what would it matter.
6. Communicate at the earliest possible moment any breakdowns in the project. If there is not resolution to the breakdown, withdraw from the contract and the provider. Put your complaints in writing and submit to the service provider, the Better Business Bureau, and be sure to tell anyone that either referred you to this business or to anyone you might have referred.
7. Your name and reputation is significant in the commitment to have a long-standing and competent business. If you are dealing with someone who does not share that commitment, refrain from doing business with them. Remember that the business that you hire to do something for you is representing you and your name and your business. It is your name that is on the line.
8. Be willing to check deeper when your gut whispers that something is wrong, even if it happens with friends and family members. Trust you listening and it will be more and more helpful to you over the years. If anyone is offended about your investigation, there may be more reason to research even deeper.
