Centric Consulting is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. This is the second blog in our series on what our core values mean to our CEO and employees.
In this blog series, we asked employees three questions about each of our seven core values. Here’s what Senior Operations Manager Julia Motley had to say about embracing integrity and openness.
“It’s critical to act with integrity even in the face of adversity.”
What does embracing integrity and openness mean to you?
In a world often troubled with ethical dilemmas and veiled intentions, embracing integrity and openness can help guide individuals toward honesty, transparency, and authenticity. This core value is key to navigating both professional endeavors and personal relationships.
To me, embracing integrity and openness means embodying sincerity and transparency in all actions and interactions. It’s about being your real, true, and authentic self. It’s about owning the truth and respecting others even when faced with difficult choices, which can help foster trust and uphold ethical standards in all aspects of life.
How do you embrace integrity and openness in your work?
In my work, I live by this value by keeping everything transparent and communications open. One example is my approach to project management. When leading a team or collaborating with colleagues, I prioritize clear communication and transparency. I openly share information, insights, and challenges while promoting an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and voice their perspectives. By embracing openness, I not only encourage collaboration and innovation but also cultivate trust and accountability within the team.
It’s also critical to act with integrity, even in the face of adversity. For instance, when a project deadline confronted me that seemed unattainable without compromising quality, I communicated openly with stakeholders about the challenges and proposed realistic alternatives. While it may have been tempting to conceal the obstacles and push forward with unrealistic expectations, I recognized the importance of honesty in maintaining long-term trust.
How do you embrace integrity and openness in your personal life?
Even outside the workplace, embracing integrity and openness is essential to me. One example is practicing honesty and transparency in my friendships. I believe that genuine connections are built on trust and authenticity, which can only thrive in an environment of openness. Whether discussing joys or challenges, I strive to be forthright and sincere, knowing that vulnerability fosters deeper connections and mutual understanding.
Moreover, integrity permeates my personal decisions and actions, guiding me to uphold moral principles even when no one is watching. For instance, when faced with a situation where I could have benefited from bending the rules or taking shortcuts, I remained steadfast in my commitment to honesty and integrity. While the easy path may have offered temporary gains, I understood that the true measure of character lies in the consistency of one’s principles, even in moments of temptation.