Integrity: A Call to Wholeness

The word integrity carries more weight than most realize. Its etymology reveals a profound truth: it stems from the Latin integritas, meaning “soundness, wholeness, completeness.” The root word integer—a whole number—further emphasizes the idea of being undivided.

     Originally used to describe innocence and purity, by the 15th century integrity had evolved to mean “wholeness” and “perfect condition.” By the 1540s, it came to represent moral soundness and fidelity to truth. This historical journey isn’t just linguistic—it’s deeply personal.

     This understanding of integrity invites a powerful question: Are you whole—or divided?  Is there alignment between your inner beliefs and your outward actions?  Do your words reflect your true motives, or are they shaped by people pleasing or fear?  Is there a gap between what you say you’ll do and what you actually deliver?

     Wherever division exists—between thought and action, promise and performance—integrity is compromised. Half-truths, misleading impressions, and innuendo aren’t just poor communication. They are fractures in wholeness.

     This isn’t a message of condemnation. It’s a call to healing.  Integrity is about transparency and integration. It’s about becoming whole, aligning your conscience with your conduct, and finding peace in that unity. When your inner and outer worlds reflect one another, you experience clarity, confidence, and calm.

     As a coach, I help organizational leaders identify and establish both personal and organizational integrity. This work is not easy. It requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. But the reward is profound: cultures built on trust, leadership rooted in authenticity, and teams empowered by clarity.

     Integrity is the foundation of excellence. It’s the quiet strength behind every meaningful relationship, every lasting success, and every transformative leader.