Integrity is often defined as doing the right thing even when no one is watching. But I’d like to offer a more actionable lens. Integrity has two sides:

1. Doing what you say you’re going to do.
2. And if you can’t, letting the other person know.                                                                         

It seems simple, but how often do we miss one side of this coin?

When we follow through on our commitments, we build trust, credibility, and a reputation of dependability. This is the most recognizable side of integrity. We applaud the friend who shows up, the colleague who keeps deadlines, and the leader who honors their promises. This side says: “You can count on me.”

Daniel, in the Old Testament, is a powerful example of this kind of integrity. Even under pressure in Babylon, he kept his commitment to prayer and devotion to God. He didn’t compromise, he kept his word on praying three times a day, even when his life was on the line. His actions spoke louder than words—he didn’t just say he would remain faithful, he lived it out in the lion’s den.

Daniel teaches us that integrity sometimes costs something—but it is always worth it.

This second side is less celebrated, but just as important. Life happens. Deadlines shift. Energy wanes. Emergencies arise. Sometimes, we genuinely can’t do what we said we would.

Integrity isn’t about perfection—it’s about responsibility. When you realize you can’t fulfill a commitment, integrity means speaking up early and clearly. It’s not failure—it’s stewardship of trust.

Imagine a team member promises to deliver a key piece of a project by Friday. But on Wednesday, their child gets sick, and their week turns upside down. Instead of ghosting or staying silent, they email the team: “I won’t make Friday’s deadline. Can we regroup or adjust the timeline?” That simple act of communication keeps trust intact. Why? Because the team wasn’t left in the dark.

Too often, we think silence will protect our image. But silence erodes confidence. Speaking up—early and honestly—is integrity in action.

When we only practice one side of integrity, we create imbalance.

• If we only focus on doing what we say, we set ourselves up to quietly fail when things don’t go as planned.
• If we only communicate when we can’t follow through, but rarely keep our word, we become unreliable.                                                                             

True integrity is holding both. Following through when we can. Owning up and informing others when we can’t.

It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being real, responsible, and respectful.

What if our relationships, teams, and communities became known for this kind of integrity?

What if we normalized honest follow-through and brave communication?
Let’s stop making integrity a high bar we fear and start making it a standard we live.

Sometimes, keeping your word is heroic. Other times, letting someone know you can’t is even more courageous.

Integrity is not just what you do—it's how you handle what you can’t do.