How to Coach Yourself and Others How to Influence, Persuade and Motivate | Page 89
you haven’t demonstrated that you are trustworthy.
Integrity is something that you have to practice continually. It takes effort
to honor your word every time and to be the example you want from
others even when you are under stress or simply have a personality
conflict. But the benefits you can gain from developing integrity are
enormous when compared to the damage you can do in the workplace –
and to your ability to persuade others - if you lack it.
Think for a moment about characteristics of people who have tried to
persuade you that you didn’t like. What, specifically, were the attitudes,
behaviours, or traits of that person that has you still thinking of them in a
negative light? Probably you would list things like favoring certain
people, not coming through on promises he or she made, gossiping, taking
credit for another person’s work, or treating you disrespectfully. All of
these issues can be traced to a lack of integrity.
So how do you practice integrity? There are three key areas that you can
concentrate on developing. As you read each description, ask yourself
how you would feel someone trying to convince you of something did not
possess these key characteristics.
6.4.1 Sincerity
Also called authenticity, people with this facet of integrity:
Do not put up a false front
Accept responsibility for their commitments and strive to meet
them
Are honest about their own limitations
Accept responsibility for their mistakes
Tell the truth
6.4.2 Consistency
You can demonstrate this facet of integrity by:
Treating people equally as much as possible
Following through on promises
Working as hard or harder than is expected
Having the same expectations or rules for yourself as you have
for others
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