Honor and Integrity

Honor and integrity, those words..those sticky, confusing, and to some menacing words. How can two words both threaten and inspire?  Honor is defined as honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions. It is often said that integrity is doing what is right even when no one is watching. These words are concepts. Concepts requiring us to aspire to be the best persons we can be. These concepts are what threaten and inspire.

Honor.. most of my adult life I have been taught that  you never leave a man behind. You never abandon a fallen comrade. If a teammate stumbles you rally behind them. You coach and mentor, you encourage and support. you never LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE!!! It is very disheartening to see how quickly some will abandon those with whom they serve. Honor and integrity... are you inspired? Or are you scared? Do those words make you sweat because of the expectations associated with them? Individuals with honor and integrity are expected to lead. They are expected to set an example. To have honor and integrity you can not merely manage, you must lead, and lead from the front.

Integrity is not a word we read off cue cards, it is not a concept we banter about as a theory. You either have integrity at your core or your core is rotten and diseased. Integrity..doing the right thing when no one is watching. Integrity..doing the right thing when we experience no personal gain. Integrity.. the unquestionable bedrock of character upon which a leader's personality is built. Integrity can take us to great heights, it can also console us in our lowest depths.

Honor and integrity ..what say you gentleman? Show me something.Impress me.