This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
January 3, 2020, was a day that will be etched in my memory forever. My boss asked me to change some details in a monthly report that we submit to head office, and I was left feeling confused and uncertain about what to do.
As I pondered the situation, I couldn't help but think about the company's value of integrity. I had always taken pride in upholding this value, but now I was being asked to compromise it. I wondered if my boss was motivated by a desire to please her bosses or to avoid disagreeable career consequences.
Integrity is not just a company value, but a personal choice that requires deliberate effort and courage. It's not always easy to stand up for what is right, especially when it means going against the wishes of those in power. But I knew that I had to make a choice that aligned with my values and principles.
After much contemplation, I decided to speak to my boss and express my discomfort with carrying out her instructions. I was nervous about the potential consequences, but I knew that I had to be true to myself and my values. I asked her if she could explain her reasons for wanting to falsify the report, and she revealed that she was under pressure from her bosses to meet certain targets.
Our conversation was a turning point for me. I realized that my boss was not trying to undermine the company's values, but was rather a victim of the same pressures that I was facing. I decided to work with her to find a solution that would uphold the company's integrity while also meeting the needs of our bosses.
Looking back, I am proud of the choice I made. Upholding integrity is not always easy, but it is essential for building trust and respect in any organization. I learned that even in the face of adversity, I have the power to choose what is right and to stand up for my values.
