Building a Life of Integrity:
Lessons from 35 Years in Construction
After 35 years working as a union electrician on projects big and small, industrial jobs, and even large government contracts, I’ve learned a lot about the importance of integrity.
It’s like constructing a building: without a solid foundation and the right materials fitting perfectly together, everything will eventually collapse.
“Living a life of integrity is hard, but living without it is a lot harder.”
The Foundation of Integrity
In construction, the foundation is everything.
If the foundation is weak or poorly built, the entire structure is at risk.
The same goes for life.
Integrity is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Without it, nothing else stands for long.
When we start a new project, we spend a significant amount of time making sure the foundation is perfect.
We check and double-check our work because we know the stakes.
Similarly, integrity involves doing the right thing even when no one is watching, ensuring your actions align with your values.
It’s about being honest, reliable, and trustworthy.
Building Blocks and Fit
Every part of a construction project needs to fit together perfectly.
Each piece, no matter how small, has its place and purpose.
If a single component is off, it can throw the whole project into jeopardy.
This is true in life as well.
Every decision we make, every action we take, builds on the last one.
As electricians, we understand the importance of precision.
Wires must be connected correctly, circuits must be completed accurately, and safety standards must be met without exception.
One small error can lead to significant problems down the line.
Sometimes even leading to fire trucks being called to your location.
Not a good indicator!
Integrity works the same way.
Each decision you make must fit with your core values.
Compromise on integrity in one area, and it can cause a ripple effect, undermining everything else.
Integrity on the Job Site
On job sites, integrity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential.
In my experience, those who cut corners or engage in dishonest practices don’t last.
They get laid off as soon as they’re discovered.
I’ve seen it happen time and time again.
There was a guy on one of our big government projects who thought he could get away with doing subpar work to save himself work.
It didn’t take long for the supervisors to catch on.
They wondered why he was installing electrical outlets so quickly.
Until they opened one and discovered he hadn’t landed the wires on the device!
He was gone that very day.
And worse, he was put on the “blacklist.”
Technically, illegal but it’s there nonetheless because no one wants to hire a guy that is so flagrantly inept.
The project continued without him, but his actions had already caused delays and additional costs.
We had to send a guy back to check every one of his installations, 90% of his work was f’ed up!
Contrast that with the guys who show up on time, do their work right, and are honest about any issues that arise.
These are the ones who last.
They’re the ones who get promoted and are trusted with more responsibility.
Their integrity builds their reputation, and that reputation opens doors.
The Long-Term View
Living a life of integrity might seem harder in the short term.
It requires discipline, honesty, and sometimes making tough choices.
But in the long run, it pays off.
Just like a well-built structure stands the test of time, a life built on integrity withstands challenges and setbacks.
It was how I was able to go from a wimpy apprentice with absolutely no construction experience to being a forearm on a $1.7B airport project.
I was always challenging myself to do a bit better, learn a little bit more, and tackle more difficult projects.
In construction, we plan for the long term.
We think about how our work will hold up over years, decades, even centuries.
We understand that taking shortcuts might save time and money now, but it will cost much more in the future when things go wrong.
Life is no different.
The choices you make today based on integrity will set the course for your future.
Integrity and Success
I’ve had the privilege of working on some incredible projects over the years.
- HEPA Clean rooms for manufacturing space satellites
- Live performance theaters and venues
- Complicated airport conveyor systems
- Waste-water treatment facilities
- SCIF rooms
From massive industrial jobs to important government contracts, success in these ventures was always built on a foundation of integrity.
We were successful because we didn’t cut corners.
We did the job right the first time, and we held ourselves to the highest standards.
The people without integrity, the ones who thought they could get ahead by cheating or lying, never lasted.
They were laid off as soon as their true nature was discovered.
Don’t let these losers be you.
Build your life on the solid foundation of integrity, and you’ll find that success follows.
Practical Tips for Living with Integrity
- Be Honest: Always tell the truth, even when it’s hard. Honesty builds trust, and trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, whether personal or professional.
- Keep Your Promises: If you say you’ll do something, do it. Reliability is a key component of integrity.
- Do the Right Thing: Even when no one is watching, make the choice that aligns with your values.
- Admit Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how you handle them. Own up to your errors and take steps to correct them.
- Stay Consistent: Integrity isn’t a one-time thing; it’s a way of life. Make it a habit to act with integrity in every situation.
Conclusion
Living a life of integrity isn’t always easy, but it’s the best way to build a strong, lasting foundation for success.
Just as in construction, where every part must fit together perfectly to create a stable structure, every decision you make should align with your core values.
Remember, integrity is what will allow you to build a life that stands the test of time.
Leave a Reply