If you have all of these 15 traits, you’re a rare person with true integrity

Isn’t it funny how sometimes, the simplest words carry the heaviest weight? 

Take ‘integrity’ for example. Just nine letters long, but it’s like a secret code for a unicorn-type rarity in our world. 

This is not about being an unchanging stone statue, but a person with an open mind and a solid core of values. 

So, are you one of these rare gems? Here are 15 traits that’ll reveal if you’re someone brimming with true integrity.

1) You value actions over words

You know that old saying, “actions speak louder than words?” I’ve got news for you: It’s still ringing true. 

People with integrity don’t just speak, they act. 

They understand that words are the appetizer, but actions? Ah, those are the main course. 

You might say you’re going to climb Mount Everest in a tutu, but if all you do is lounge on the couch, well, you’re just blowing hot air. 

2) You embrace change, but your values are unyielding

Remember when I said integrity isn’t about being an unchanging stone statue? 

Here’s the thing: folks with integrity aren’t afraid of change. In fact, they welcome it with open arms. 

However, their core values? Those are as solid as a diamond in a snowstorm. 

Change to them is like updating their phone’s software; it’s necessary and often leads to a better version of themselves. 

But their values, oh, those are the hardware, unchangeable no matter how many software updates roll in. 

3) You’re the Picasso of accountability

Here’s a fun fact: Picasso once said, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” 

That’s the kind of attitude folks with integrity have when it comes to accountability. 

When they mess up, they don’t start the blame game or hide behind excuses. 

Instead, they stand tall, brush off the dust, and say, “Yup, that was on me.” They view every stumble as an opportunity to learn and grow, turning their missteps into masterpieces. 

4) You don’t hesitate to give credit where it’s due

It’s incredibly easy to take credit for something you didn’t do, isn’t it? But that’s not the style of those with integrity. 

They have a knack for recognizing the hard work of others and don’t shy away from shouting it from the rooftops. 

In fact, they’ll be the first one to start the applause and the last one to stop. 

It’s like they’ve got this in-built detector for effort and they make sure that everyone knows who really deserves the kudos. 

5) You’re the epitome of consistency

There’s a comforting rhythm to consistency, don’t you think? 

People with integrity dance to this rhythm every day. Whether it’s in their professional lives or their personal habits, consistency is their dance partner. 

You won’t see them making promises on Monday they can’t keep on Wednesday. 

It’s like they’ve got this internal metronome that keeps them reliable, steady, and oh-so-dependable. 

6) You’re an open book

“Secrecy is the enemy of integrity.” Well, nobody famous said that, but hey, it could catch on. 

In all seriousness, folks with integrity don’t believe in hiding, lying, or sugar-coating the truth. 

They have the courage to be an open book, even when the pages reveal chapters they’re not particularly proud of. 

This transparency, this willingness to be vulnerable, makes them trustworthy and genuine. 

7) You’re a good listener

Have you noticed how some people are always waiting for their turn to speak rather than actually listening? 

Well, if you’re a person of integrity, you’re not just hearing words, you’re absorbing them. 

You give people the space to express themselves without interrupting or prematurely formulating your response. 

You believe everyone has a story worth hearing, and you respect that by truly listening. 

8) You’re a courage factory

People with integrity are not just brave, they manufacture courage. 

They don’t shy away from difficult conversations, decisions, or situations. 

They confront the elephants in the room, tackle challenges head-on, and sometimes, they even invite trouble over for a cup of tea, just to show it who’s boss. 

9) You respect boundaries

There’s something about respecting boundaries that screams integrity. It’s like saying, “I value your personal space as much as I value mine.” 

People of integrity respect the personal, professional, and emotional boundaries set by others. 

They don’t believe in encroaching, overstepping, or breaching these invisible lines. 

10) You treat everyone equally

This is perhaps one of the most defining traits of someone with true integrity. 

No matter the differences in status, background, or beliefs, they treat everyone with the same level of respect and fairness. 

From the CEO to the janitor, everyone is a human first, deserving of dignity and respect. 

11) You’re comfortable in your own skin

The mask? The facade? Not your cup of tea, right? People of integrity are comfortable being themselves, warts and all. 

They don’t feel the need to put on a show or portray themselves as someone they’re not. They’ve embraced their imperfections, their quirks, and their unique spark. 

They’re like a walking, talking declaration of authenticity. 

12) You give more than you take

Do you know what people of integrity love? Sharing. They share their time, their wisdom, their resources, and yes, occasionally, their dessert. 

They believe in the power of giving and often give more than they take. 

They’re like human versions of those refreshing lemonade stands on a hot summer day, always ready to offer something refreshing without expecting much in return.

13) You keep your promises, no matter how small

Remember when you promised to water your neighbor’s plant while they were away? Or when you committed to finishing that book by the weekend? 

Well, people of integrity remember. 

They keep their promises, be it monumental or trivial. 

They believe that every promise is a reflection of their character and breaking it is not an option.

14) You don’t compromise your beliefs

The fourteenth trait of a person with true integrity is unwavering belief. 

It’s one thing to have values, but entirely another to stand by them when they’re being challenged. 

People of integrity don’t let external influences dictate their beliefs or sway their moral compass. 

They can stand in the face of opposition, hold on to their convictions, and refuse to let the tide of popular opinion wash them away.

15) You are kind, even when no one is watching

The final trait that reflects true integrity is kindness practiced in solitude. It’s easy to be kind when there’s an audience, isn’t it? 

But people of integrity radiate kindness even in the most unnoticed moments. 

They might help a struggling insect find its way out of a puddle or clean up a public space not for praise, but simply because it’s the right thing to do. 

Their kindness isn’t performed; it’s a fundamental part of their being.

Why integrity is so rare to find

An integral story

Before we dive in, let me take you back to my 10-year-old self. 

Picture this: a scruffy-haired kid, perpetually clad in mismatched socks, and with a fondness for tree climbing that would make Tarzan envious. 

One day, during my usual tree escapade, I found a bird’s nest on a high branch. 

But this was no ordinary nest—it was brimming with bright, blue eggs.

Like any adventurous 10-year-old would, I scrambled down and rushed to show my parents. 

My dad, with his warm, knowing smile, told me something that stuck with me to this day. 

He said:

“Son, those eggs are like your promises. If you hold onto them too tight or don’t care enough, they’ll break. But if you respect them and carry them gently, they will hatch into something beautiful.” 

He was speaking about integrity without even using the word.

The real reason for rarity

The reason integrity seems so rare is that it’s like walking on a tightrope. 

On one side, you have the pressure to fit into societal molds, and on the other, the tug of your individuality. 

Staying true to oneself, while also being open-minded and respectful, requires a kind of bravery that’s not often talked about. 

It’s about standing up for what you believe in, even when the crowd is headed in the opposite direction. 

It’s about telling the truth, even when a lie seems more comfortable. It’s about acknowledging your flaws and mistakes, even when conceit is easier.

But here’s the funny bit—just like those eggs, integrity is delicate, yet it’s also extraordinarily resilient. 

It can withstand the harshest storms of adversity and still emerge unscathed. That’s what makes it so special and rare.

So, if you possess even a smidge of these 15 traits, I want you to know that you’re a rare gem. 

And if you’re just on the cusp of hatching into a person of full integrity, remember my dad’s words about the bird eggs. 

Carry your integrity gently and respectfully. Before you know it, it’ll hatch into something beautiful and admirable—a life lived with true integrity. 

And trust me, that’s a sight more mesmerizing than any tree-climbing adventure could ever offer!