Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

Protect Your Integrity by Knowing Your Bottom Line

If you are feeling stressed by the spin doctor dilemma, it is probably because you are being asked to act contrary to your own personal values and beliefs. Individuals have their own notion of what is right and what is wrong. If you knowingly do something that you believe is wrong, you are going to feel uncomfortable or worse. You will most likely worry about the implications of what you have said and done.

People with a ruthless streak have a high tolerance for lies and deceit. They seem to be quite comfortable manipulating others for personal gain and taking advantage. For them, there is less stress. For them, integrity probably means being true to themselves without regard for other people. But what happens if you only want to do the right thing?

Think before you act so that you can protect you own mental well-being and relaxed state of mind. Considering the detail of the spin requested, compare the proposed actions with your own values. What fits and what violates your sense of what is right? When you find something that makes you feel uncomfortable, think about an alternative way of approaching it. Is there a way that you could do it and still sleep at night?

One way forward is to find a compromise that satisfies your boss and your own integrity. How far are you prepared to go with the spin? At what point will you refuse and suffer the political consequences because your own well-being is more important? At the very ...