Day 53: Integrity
It's a lifetime lesson...
Action
Bring one action into alignment with your words.
Standard
Be the same person in every room.
Today’s Reading
Two of my great mentors taught integrity in different ways. Dick Notmeyer taught me mastery of the basics. His phone calls always began with “Danny Boy!” and usually brought me back to something simple that I had overlooked.
Me and Dick Notmeyer. He looked like he was in his forties in his seventies.
Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald taught me the importance of absolute honesty and one of the great secrets of success: always be early. He stood when I entered a room, offered me a chair, listened to my questions, and gave me the space to make difficult decisions. His behavior matched his values.
From left to right: My Aunt Pat, My Aunt Florence (General Eisenhower’s driver in England), and my Mom. I found out after her death that my mom was a vicious basketball player. She also insisted that “integrity is being the same person in every situation.)
Integrity is usually discussed as honesty, but I think it means something larger. It means wholeness. Your words, actions, values, and habits fit together. At my funeral, I hope no one is surprised by the stories they hear. I hope I was basically the same person in every room.
My mom defined it as: “being the same person in every situation.”
Physical integrity works the same way. Breath, posture, tension, and movement cooperate. Nothing important leaks or collapses.
When you say health matters but never move, there is a gap. When you say family comes first but give everyone else your best time and attention, there is a gap. Today, close one of those gaps.
Coaching Vocabulary
Integrity: Alignment between what you value, what you say, and what you repeatedly do.
Reflection
Where is there a gap between my words and actions?
This lesson is adapted from Dan John’s book, Fitness Forge, originally written as Tools of Coaching. Learn more at danjohnuniversity.com/bookstore.