Integrity is the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and adhering to ethical values even when no one is watching. It involves being truthful, reliable, and consistent in one's actions, words, and beliefs. Individuals with integrity demonstrate transparency, fairness, and accountability in their interactions with others and in their decision-making processes.
I recall a time when I was working on a group project during my middle school years. One of my group members was struggling with their portion of the assignment, and we were running out of time to meet the deadline. Instead of addressing the issue openly and offering support or seeking help from the instructor, I decided to complete their part of the work without informing the rest of the group.
By doing that, I failed to uphold the principles of integrity. I chose the easier route of completing the work myself to ensure the project was submitted on time, but in the process, I disregarded the importance of honesty and fairness within the group. My actions not only undermined the collaborative nature of the project but also set a precedent for enabling irresponsibility and lack of accountability among team members.