“Do the right thing.” “You are only as good as your word.” Two phrases my Dad lived by and drove home to me at a young age, and have been thematic in my business life because they define integrity.
You are only as good as your word.”
For entrepreneurs, they are equally critical. When you’re starting out most of you will only have an excellent idea, a rational plan to execute that idea and your integrity. Your idea might or might not be great. Your plan may or may not be executable.
But your integrity, in everything you do, from what you say, promise or how you act, should never waver. It is who you are and therefore how you and your business are thought of and the very linchpin of your future success.
Integrity isn’t just a matter of behavior. It’s way more. Commitment to honesty and fairness with everyone with whom you and your business come into contact. Employees, customers, suppliers, investors. It should be part of the way you do business. It’s doing the right thing even when it hurts you, either professionally or financially, or both.