For the last few months, I've been thinking about integrity.

And I've been drawing a triangle (read on!).

Sterling draws a triangle

If we met for coffee recently, I drew this triangle for you. (Sorry, friends!)

This triangle emerges from three months of journaling and reflecting on integrity.

This triangle is my best representation of what it means to live with integrity.

What is integrity?

Integrity is a word that's thrown around a lot.

But what does it mean?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines integrity as:

• Moral code. She was a leader of great integrity.

• Soundness. The building’s integrity remained intact following the mild earthquake.

• Wholeness. He replaced a lost book to restore the integrity of his collection.

And etymology provides a clue:

Integrity derives from the Latin "integritās" – connoting wholeness, completeness, or purity.

Anyway, definition aside, it's your turn to face the triangle...

Clarity

At the top of the triangle is the word "clarity."

"Awareness" or "self-awareness" would also work.

It's hard to act with integrity without clarity on your values and interests.

Clarity develops by observing our behaviors and feelings.

Meditation, journaling, and prayer can increase clarity.

And often, other people help us achieve clarity.

For example, it's sometimes more helpful to ask a trusted mentor for advice than to introspect.

Observers have the advantage of detachment.

They see you as you are, not as you imagine yourself.

But not everyone has the tools they need to achieve clarity.

Communication

On the second tier of the triangle is the word "communication."

Clarity doesn't guarantee that you can communicate your values and interests.

The etymology of communication is fascinating:

• Communis (Latin): "common, public, shared by all or many"

• becomes communicare: "to share, to impart, to make common"

Thus, communication is how we bring ourselves into public.

Yes, communication is speech and writing. But communication is also how we share and make public our values through action.

And we may lack the skills necessary to communicate our values and interests.

Courage

On the third tier of the triangle is the word "courage."

Assume you have clarity on your values, and the skills to communicate them.

What stops you from living with integrity?

Most often, we don't share our values and interests for fear of social consequences.

We fear shame or embarrassment.

We fear the judgment of others.

We lack the courage to live with integrity.

Integrity and Alignment

In my newsletter, I share how integrity relates to alignment.

I explore why we're struggling to find alignment.

And I explain why government doesn't work.

To sign up, click here!