I will finish this Sub-Chapter on Discipline by focusing on the important element of integrity because this is what, I believe, binds discipline to creativity.
(I note that there is a similarity between the word integrity and the word integration, which is one of root foundations. I don’t know much about the origins of words but I like to think that terms like wholeness or complete link the two).
If we are committed to creativity the likelihood is that we are not going to do things by the book – as the saying goes. We will be thinking outside the box and perhaps acting outside it too.
This implies that, within the boundaries of safety and, of course, our mission, we will be taking risks. We will also be using a lot of common-sense. We will be doing something because it works, not because someone told us to do it that way, or not to do it another way, etc. etc.
If we do not have integrity we may get into the end justifies the means kind of thinking, and behave unethically to achieve a particular goal just because we want it to work, or it’s our hobby horse, or it will do some good even though someone will be hurt by our actions in doing it.
So, it follows that we have to have a lot of integrity if we are going to follow the creative path and act outside the box.
When I say integrity I mean behave with the utmost professionalism in all our dealings with first and foremost the people who seek our assistance, but also partner agencies, funders and anyone else we come into contact with.
We also need to have impeccable governance procedures and attend to financial matters properly.
But, the good news here is that the opposite is also the case.
That is, if we are disciplined enough to have high integrity it kind of gives us permission, and makes it easier for us to be creative!