Congruence. “Integrity” comes from the same Latin root as the words “integrated'” and “integer.” A person has integrity when there is no gap between intent and behavior… when he or she is whole, seamless, the same inside and out. This kind of authenticity is what I call “congruence.” And it is congruence–not compliance–that will ultimately create credibility and trust.
People who are congruent act in harmony with their deepest values and beliefs. They walk their talk. When they feel they ought to do something, they do it. They’re not driven by extrinsic forces, including the opinions of others or the expediency of the moment. The voice they listen and respond to is the quiet voice of conscience.
A great example of congruence is Mahatma Gandhi. At one point in his life, he was invited to speak before the House of Commons in England. Using no notes, he spoke for two hours and brought essentially hostile audience to a rousing standing ovation. Following his speech, some reporters approached his secretary, Mahadev Desai, incredulous that Gandhi could mesmerize his audience for such a long time with no notes. Desai responded:
“What Gandhi thinks, what he feels, what he says, and what be does are all the same. He does not need notes.. you and I, we think one thing, feel another, say a third, and do a fourth, so we need notes and files to keep track.”
Gandhi was not only congruent within himself, he was also congruent with the principles he stood for. Not only did he have roots, he had a taproot that plunged deep into the reservoir of timeless principles that govern in life.
“My life is an indivisible whole, and all my activities run into one another. My life is my message.”
MAHATMA GANDHI
By drawing on the power of such principles and living in a way that was totally congruent to them, Gandhi was able to produce amazing positive results in India and throughout the world despite the fact that he never held public office or any formal leadership position.
When you consistently demonstrate inner congruence to your belief system and to principles, you inspire trust in both professional and personal relationships. People feel you are strong, solid, and dependable, and that you are committed to live in ways that are certain to bring positive results and validate their confidence in you.
This is an excerpt from a book The Speed of Trust by Stephen MR Covey. If you would like to buy this book please click here.