In every election, I'm looking for candidates who've demonstrated strong integrity and character....even if their positions on the issues don't quite line up with my own. Last week, Cedar Valley Character Counts shared a terrific blogpost worth re-broadcasting far and wide. It describes the common traits of people with integrity -- the kind of people we need to step up and serve in public office. I strive to live up to these characteristics every day, and will continue to do so as your City Council (At Large) rep.
Here's the list of characteristics, from that blogpost (click the link also, so they can get the view credit!)
Common Traits of People With Integrity:
1. They are trustworthy. Trust is actually the most common trait of these people. Once people with try integrity have gained your trust, they will try to keep it.
2. They are honest. They are honest people who don’t feel need to lie because they want to get to where they need to get in life without lying.
3. They are authentic. People with true integrity are actually their truest forms. You will never catch them in a lie.
4. They do good things whenever they can. They often help others. They enjoy improving other people’s lives.
5. They are humble. They don’t quite know their own worth. Although they do good things, they do not quite notice their act of kindness.
6. They apologize first. In case people with true integrity have done anything wrong, they will actually apologize. They admit their mistake as well as try to make things right.
7. They believe other people. They don’t take lying well. In case you lie to them, they will never take your word again.
8. They are kind to people that need it. If you look like you need a little pick me up, people with true integrity will try to brighten up your day.
9. They realize when something is bothering others. These people have a great intuition, which allows them to realize when something is going on. In case someone is down in the dumps, people with true integrity will notice it.
10. They give others the benefit of the doubt. People with true integrity try to see the good in others as they feel like many people have integrity, as well. So, in case you take advantage of these people too much, they will probably get rid of you.
11. They don’t argue over disagreements. These people often talk through things in a civil manner. Sometimes, they don’t talk at all. They don’t argue over anything ridiculous.
12. They don’t take advantage of other people. They don’t take advantage of other people. In addition, they often build others up as well as help them get where they need to be.
13. They credit people that deserve it. Those who have true integrity don’t take credit for things they didn’t do. Moreover, they often credit people that deserve it. In case you help them with a project, they will probably mention your name so you would take credit for your work.
14. They value other people’s time. These people value their own time as well as they value other people’s time. This means that they understand that you have many other places you need to be. That’s why they do not hold you up.
15. They are genuine. They show their genuineness by action. For example, they will return lost money without expecting any reward of praise.
16. They hold themselves accountable. They have strong commitment standards. This means that they set goals and try to achieve them. In case they feel that they are wavering from their goals, they adjust quickly
17. They hold you accountable. In case you tell your goals to these people, they may try to help you achieve them. In fact, it is the need to help other people succeed that drives them.
In this election (and any other!) I ask that you choose candidates you believe have the most integrity -- not necessarily the ones who happen to match all your check-boxes for the city's current issues. Our community will be better off for having leaders of character in public office, even if all the decisions don't go exactly your way.
That said, I take integrity and character very seriously, and seek to be a terrific role model for my kids. I'd be honored to be a role model for the community as well. I pledge to continue striving to be a leader (and neighbor) you can respect and trust, even if we don't always agree! Thanks, and I hope to earn your vote November 7th!