Integrity Isn’t Optional: How Small Decisions Shape Your Character (and Your Legacy)

What does it mean to live a life you can be proud of? For Clayton Christensen, the answer is simple: integrity. In 'How Will You Measure Your Life?', he argues that your character is built not by grand gestures, but by the sum of small, everyday choices.

Christensen warns that most ethical failures begin with a single compromise—'just this once.' These small slips, if unchecked, can snowball into habits that erode your integrity and damage your reputation. The solution? Commit to your principles 100 percent of the time. It’s actually easier than holding to them 98 percent of the time, because you never have to negotiate with yourself or justify exceptions.

Integrity isn’t about being perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is the willingness to reflect, admit when you’re wrong, and realign your actions with your values. Over time, these habits create a culture of trust and respect—both within yourself and in your relationships.

Christensen’s stories of leaders who lost their way—and those who held fast to their values—are a powerful reminder that your legacy is shaped by the little choices you make every day.

In the end, your character is your greatest asset. Build it with care, one decision at a time, and you’ll live a life worth measuring.