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150 Words10 Marks
Q.“Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration. What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain (150 words, 10 Marks)
UPSC Mains 2018•Ethics & Integrity
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmSyllabus Point
- Foundational Values for Civil Services – Integrity, Objectivity, and Ethics in Public and Private Relationships
Approach
- Introduction (Definition) (30-40 words): Briefly explain the meaning of the quote by Warren Buffett: that integrity is the most important trait in a person. Intelligence and energy, when combined with integrity, lead to success. However, without integrity, intelligence and energy can be misused, causing harm rather than good.
- Body (Explanation) (80-90 words): Give relevance of this statement in the Present-Day Scenario along with suitable examples.
- Conclusion (20 words): Emphasize the importance of integrity and how energy and intelligence, to be beneficial to society, must be guided by integrity.
Introduction
Warren Buffett’s statement highlights the paramount importance of integrity over intelligence and energy when hiring individuals. In the absence of integrity, intelligence and energy can become detrimental rather than beneficial.
Body
The Ripple Effect of Integrity
graph TD PersonalEmpowerment["Personal Empowerment"] StrongerRelationships["Stronger Relationships"] EthicalOrganizations["Ethical Organizations"] JustSociety["Just Society"] PersonalEmpowerment --> StrongerRelationships StrongerRelationships --> EthicalOrganizations EthicalOrganizations --> JustSociety JustSociety --> PersonalEmpowerment
Explanation of the Statement in the Present-Day Scenario:
- Foundation of Trust: Integrity builds trust, which is essential for effective teamwork and organizational cohesion. Without it, intelligence and energy can lead to manipulation and deceit.
- Present-Day Example: In financial institutions, an intelligent and energetic employee without integrity can commit fraud, leading to significant losses and damaged reputations.
- Sustainable Success: Integrity ensures that success is achieved through ethical means. Intelligence and energy alone may drive short-term gains but can lead to long-term failures if ethical boundaries are crossed.
- Present-Day Example: The Volkswagen emissions scandal involved intelligent and energetic engineers who lacked integrity, leading to severe legal and financial repercussions.
- Organizational Culture: Integrity fosters a positive work culture and sets a standard for behavior within the organization. It ensures that intelligence and energy are directed towards constructive and ethical goals.
- Present-Day Example: Companies like Google emphasize integrity in their hiring process, ensuring that their innovative and hardworking employees contribute positively to the company culture.
- Risk Management: Employees with integrity are less likely to engage in risky or illegal activities, safeguarding the organization from potential scandals and legal issues.
- Present-Day Example: In the healthcare sector, hiring individuals with integrity is crucial to avoid malpractice and ensure patient safety, regardless of their expertise and efficiency.
Conclusion
In the present-day scenario, Warren Buffett’s emphasis on integrity highlights that without ethical principles, intelligence and energy can lead to harmful consequences for both the individual and the organization. Ensuring integrity in hiring practices is essential for building trust, achieving sustainable success, fostering a positive culture, and managing risks effectively.
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Next Question“The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of government policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.” – Abraham Lincoln.