“It is true that integrity alone won’t make you a leader, but without integrity you will never be one.” (Zig Ziglar)
An Ohio State student and University of Michigan student were taking a graduate school entrance exam.
Afterward, the proctor called both of them into an office and proceeded to tell them that they both missed only one question on the test, but that the Michigan student was receiving an “A” and that the Ohio State student would fail.
When prompted, the proctor replied that the UM student had answered “I don’t know” for one of the questions. Ironically, that was the same question the OSU student missed. Except the OSU student answered “I don’t know either”.
Lately, as a Michigan Wolverine fan, it hasn’t exactly made me sad to see Ohio State football in the news for apparently violating NCAA rules (editor’s note: this was originally published in May of 2011). I have appreciated Jim Tressel’s success as a coach. He seemed to be a class leader that did things the right way. Is Jim Tressel a cheater? Is he a bad person? I don’t know for sure. However, I can say that it appears his moral compass was off, at least for a moment.
Unfortunately, Jim Tressel is but one name among many that are flooding the headlines today. Heisman Trophy winner, Cam Newton…former UT basketball coach, Bruce Pearl…USC football and Reggie Bush…former UT football coach Lane Kiffin…to name a few. It is easy to say that we wouldn’t cut corners or play in the gray area, but the win at all costs mentality or the quest for “success” leads people to do strange things.
Integrity is what each of us has that we can control. We may not be faced with the pressure of trying to win a national championship or keep our jobs amidst booster pressure. However, each of us will face choices each day that determines our character. How do you treat those that can’t “help” you advance your career? How do you handle your organization’s petty cash? Those and many other questions can determine your ethical standing.
Five years from now…25 years…50 years…100 years…what will be more important, climbing the success ladder or changing lives for the better? Our choices define us. What kind of legacy or impact will you leave with those around you?