Workplace values are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of integrity and 3 ways you can practice integrity at your office.
What is integrity?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, integrity refers to a “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles”. It has also been referred to as “the state of being whole and undivided”.
Let’s take a moment to let that definition sink in.
When placed into the context of a working environment, integrity can take on both definitions at an office. Across both meanings, an intrinsic idea of honesty seems to be a common ground.
As with any workplace value, we use integrity as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual. How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice integrity at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of integrity at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice integrity through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing integrity within your own office space.
Keeping to your commitments
Keeping to your commitments is one of the first steps you can take to practice integrity at the workplace.
Try your best to get your commitments sorted out in a timely fashion. If you had promised to deliver a certain something to someone within a specific time period, keep to your word!
This simple yet meaningful act suggests to others that you are on top of things expected of you. It also sends out the message that you are doing your part, while contributing to the team effort of your workplace.
With that being said, here’s a key pointer you can take note of with regards to the workplace value of integrity.
As you progress through your working hours, check items off your list as you complete them. This allows you to keep track of the things you are accountable for. It can also help you manage your time well. If you suspect that you’re not going to be able to meet your deadlines, inform your colleagues in advance.
Being honest with yourself and others is one way you could be demonstrating the workplace value of integrity in a simple yet efficient manner.
Taking responsibility
When completing a certain task that is expected of you, one should strive to produce work of great quality. This will enable one to take pride in his/her own work. However, should things not go according to plan, you should still remain accountable for your work.
As such, the second way you can practice the workplace value of integrity is by taking responsibility of the things you do.
This specifically applies to the instances where you may have made some mistakes. We are after all, only human. As such, practicing integrity can be as simple as owning up to the blunders you made have made along the way.
When we learn to accept our own mistakes, we will also be given the opportunity to ensure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes in the future. Being responsible for the things expected of us is one way to practice the workplace value of integrity in the office too.
Uphold work ethics
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of integrity at your office is by upholding work ethics.
Firstly, ensure that you are abiding by all the legal rules stipulated by your firm. Encourage your colleagues to do the same too.
If you know of someone who may be abusing the rules and regulations, do what is right. Inform your superiors of the incident. Negligence on your part could allow for such instances to increase in occurrence rates.
Do the right thing, even in situations where you may feel uncomfortable or afraid. You will be doing both yourself and your colleagues a favour, in the long run. As such, upholding work ethics is one other way you can practise the workplace value of integrity at the office!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of integrity. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice integrity at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
