Insight into Integrity

Besides being a “lighting guy” I’m also a landlord with a couple of rental homes in Ladera Ranch. I like working with my hands, building things, and repairing things, so being a landlord gives me lots of opportunities to do that type of work. But it also means I have to spend a lot of time going to places like Home Depot to pick up tools and parts.  

Last week I wanted to install a new screen door at one of the homes. After buying it at Home Depot in Mission Viejo, I remembered that my tenant has a dog. Dogs and screen doors don’t mix, but I know they sell protective metal guards that mount to a screen door, so back to Home Depot I went. When I arrived, I grabbed a small packet of self-tapping screws that I knew I would need and then picked out a large 36”x36” screen door protective guard. The box was awkward to carry, so I put the packet of screws in my pocket and then shopped around for a few more items. Ten minutes later I went through the self check-out counter and was half way back to Ladera Ranch when I realized that I forgot about the packet of screws in my pocket. OMG… I just did something really wrong… I robbed Home Depot and got away with it! Except my conscience wouldn’t let me do it.

And that got me thinking… If you make an honest mistake, does it mean you’re not honest? For example, if the Store Manager at Home Depot had seen me put that packet of screws in my pocket and walk out, he would have had every right to stop me and have me arrested. I could explain that it was an honest mistake, but sometimes people don’t care. They get mad at you anyway because you messed up and caused a problem in some way.

And that got me thinking even more… I pride myself on my honesty and integrity, but that doesn’t mean I’m perfect or that I never make a mistake. We’re all human, so I think the honesty and integrity part comes into play after you make a mistake. Do you immediately apologize and do everything you can to fix the problem and make it right? If so, then you are a person of integrity in my book and the door to my home will always be open to you!

P.S. I didn’t actually apologize to anyone, but I did take the packet of screws back to Home Depot the next day and swiped them through the check-out register in order to properly pay for the screws. You see, I just couldn’t live with myself if I “screwed” Home Depot.

Honesty and Integrity are the first 

two chapters of the book of wisdom.

~ Thomas Jefferson