Author: Kyle Carriere
Published: November 15th, 2023
In this blog post, I discuss the importance of integrity and levity in both personal and professional relationships.
Integrity and levity are two values that I hold close to my heart in every aspect of my life. Whether it's in my personal relationships or professional endeavors, I firmly believe in treating others with respect, kindness, and, almost always, sprinkles of humor and wit.
Integrity is at the heart of everything I do. It means being honest, transparent, and accountable for my actions. I believe that t
rust is the foundation of any successful team, and it is something that must be earned through consistent and ethical behavior. It's having the personal integrity to view hurdles as growth moments, and then taking those hurdles, mistakes, etc., and adjusting course as needed to make improvements. This applies to leadership roles and individual contributors alike.
Trust isn't a one-way road. Authenticity builds trust, and that cultivated trust builds credibility. It's foundational in building sustainable relationships, and reciprocally, sustainable businesses. It's having the personal integrity to view things as growth moments, and then taking those mistakes and adjusting the course as needed to make improvements. By leading with integrity, I hope to inspire my team to do the same.
Levity, on the other hand, brings a sense of lightness and joy to the workplace, whether our teams are physically present or remotely distributed. While professionalism is clearly important, I believe that a little humor can go a long way in fostering a positive and productive atmosphere. Laughter not only helps to relieve stress but also encourages creativity and collaboration. By injecting levity into our work, we can create a space where everyone feels comfortable and motivated to contribute their best ideas. In my opinion, levity is also undeniably memorable and authentic (when contributed with situational tactfulness, of course).
It's human nature to desire authentic interactions, which is something that can fade into the background of priorities while trying to navigate through the everyday hustle (not to mention the obvious reliance on technology and independent screen time, but I'll save that for a different post). Integrity and levity are not mutually exclusive. They can and do coexist, and in my opinion, are necessary contributions to successful business and interpersonal relationships.
As a team leader, I strive to create an environment that fosters both integrity and levity. I believe that when people feel valued and respected, they are more likely to thrive and grow. I encourage my teammates to be their best selves by first and foremost, practicing what I preach, and secondly by providing them with the support and guidance they need to show up to work authentically as themselves, as well as in their roles as contributors to the success of the team, and of course, the company.