Welcome to the President's Perspective. I will provide insight into one of The Eight Core Life Proficiencies and will provide other sources for you to turn to, such as books and movies, as you investigate more about these subjects. I look forward to providing my perspective on these topics.

Dr. Guy Riekeman
President

INTEGRITY

Integrity is derived from the word INTEGER, which we learned when we studied math, is a whole number. Integrity therefore is a state of wholeness. A chair has structural integrity when it has all the parts and they are all assembled correctly. It is safer and more comfortable to sit on a chair that has structural integrity. A car can have mechanical integrity. It is safer for my children to travel in a car that has integrity. A relationship can also have integrity. By definition a relationship that is in integrity is in, " a state of completeness and wholeness; adherence to a set of values." In other words people or organizations are in integrity when they first make commitments and then honor (are complete with) those commitments.

When we aren't in integrity it produces regret and resentment. This leads to people having a wide range of emotions from anger to guilt, but always results in separation and suffering, we rationalize the situation and wind up with a relationship or organization that is in a state of mediocrity.

Conversely, a person or organization that makes commitments and honors them (integrity) is trusted which allows people to make deeper and more meaningful commitments. When these commitments are followed by action and accountability which they usually are the end product is empowerment and excellence. So the final outcome of being out of integrity is mediocrity, loss of self esteem, severed or damaged relationships and lack of trust. The results of making commitments and honoring them are trust, a sense of confidence and empowerment and the possibility of a life of excellence. Seems like the choice is obvious. But not intentionally choosing to be in integrity means choosing, by omission not to be in integrity.

I believe integrity is a choice and a skill set. At Life you will study integrity by first taking a seminar titled Rights and Responsibilities where we will explore integrity, how to live in it and the consequences of a life lived with integrity or of being out of integrity. Integrity is one of the EIGHT CORE LIFE PROFICIENCIES that define a Life University education. It defines your life.