05/06/2025

THURSDAY | JUNE 5, 2025

11

Integrity vs survival in the workplace T HERE comes a time in every professional journey where circumstances will test the core of our values. The fear of professional exile, reputational damage or being seen as “difficult” can create an environment where self-preservation overrides sincerity. 0 Toxic workplace culture: When ethical flexibility is normalised within an organisation, it fosters an environment where people will M I N D T H E M I N D

principles by framing conversations strategically. Instead of outright resistance, articulate perspectives in ways that align with organisational goals while keeping personal integrity intact. 0 Cultivate trust beyond transactions: Shallow alliances built for status can make it harder for some to maintain authenticity. Deep, value-driven relationships provide support systems that make integrity more sustainable. 0 Practise micro-authenticity: Integrity is not just about grand gestures. Small, everyday decisions – choosing honesty in discussions, standing by commitments and refusing to engage in performative shifts – can create a foundation for authentic leadership. The ability to balance authenticity with professional survival is a skill that takes time to refine. But those who master it can earn credibility not just for their decisions but for the consistency of their character. In the end, what remains of us when the circumstances change? Are we merely products of survival, adapting as necessary? Or do we stand as individuals who act with conviction, even when the stakes are high? Integrity is not an accessory to leadership; it is leadership. It is what allows us to navigate difficult environments knowing that when the turbulence clears, we have not lost ourselves in the process. DrPraveena Rajendra is a certified mental health and awareness practitioner specialising in narcissistic abuse recovery. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

While long-term solutions will require time and funding, there are critical strategies that can be implemented immediately. Stronger enforcement measures, for example, could significantly improve safety on our highways and roads overnight. The authorities must prioritise the safety and well-being of taxpayers. The tragic FRU crash that claimed the lives of nine police officers should not be forgotten. Reports and statistics consistently show that accidents involving lorries and heavy-duty commercial vehicles result in significantly higher fatality rates, due to their massive size and the severe impact they have on smaller vehicles. Records show that 1,457 deaths resulted from approximately 3,500 road crashes involving lorries over a six-year period. Many of these vehicles are poorly maintained, with inspections often neglected and substandard components used, compromising their roadworthiness and increasing the risk of fatal accidents. Startling data reveals that only 32% of public transport and commercial vehicle operators comply When faced with difficult decisions, the temptation to shift perspectives, adapt narratives or compromise principles can be overwhelming, especially when survival in an organisation depends on it. The question then becomes: Are we shaping our identity or are we merely responding to the pressures around us? I witnessed this firsthand when someone who had once spoken with conviction about a particular stance abandoned it entirely the moment their position was threatened. Their shift was not driven by new insights or evolved thinking; it was a survival instinct, a performance adjusted to meet the demands of the moment. It was unsettling, not because of the change itself, but because it revealed how easily authenticity can be sacrificed in exchange for security. Yet, no matter how complex the circumstances, we always have a choice. The idea that we must abandon personal values to protect ourselves is a myth – a convenient justification we tell ourselves when the pressure mounts. Integrity does not mean refusing to adapt or being rigid but rather it means ensuring that adaptations do not come at the expense of self-respect and credibility. Authenticity is easy to maintain when the stakes are low. But when financial stability, career growth and social standing come into play, the pressure to conform can make people feel they have no choice but to abandon their values.

prioritise status over substance. This will lead to manipulation, resentment and a system that rewards opportunism rather than leadership. 0 Short-term gain, long-term instability: While changing colours may secure a position temporarily, it does not create lasting credibility. Eventually, individuals who continually compromise their authenticity will lose respect, making long-term success unsustainable. These consequences demonstrate why maintaining integrity, even in high-stakes environments, is crucial. The ability to navigate professional pressures without sacrificing authenticity is not just about ethics; it is about long-term self-preservation in its most meaningful sense. Holding onto authenticity does not require drastic defiance or public confrontations; it is about strategic integrity – making thoughtful, intentional choices that allow individuals to succeed without betraying their values. 0 Reflexive decision-making: Before making a decision under pressure, take a moment to ask: Am I adapting for strategic reasons or am I betraying my core values? Not every adjustment is a loss of authenticity; the key is knowing the difference. 0 Courage over compliance: Ethical consistency should be seen as an act of resilience, not naivety. Leadership comes from standing firm even when it communication: Professionals can maintain their positions while reinforcing their is inconvenient. 0 Value-based

This behavioural shift is often justified through situational ethics – the idea that our moral decisions should be flexible, bending to fit the demands of our environment. It allows individuals to rationalise contradictions in their actions while maintaining an illusion of integrity. In reality, these shifts can create long-term consequences, eroding trust, credibility and one’s sense of identity. Another key driver is external validation. Many professionals shape their public personas based on what is rewarded within their organisations, adapting their views to align with what will secure favour rather than standing firm in their principles. In cultures where loyalty to the system is valued over independent thought, it becomes easier to justify compromising one’s stance to maintain status and security. Yet, despite the pressures, authenticity remains a choice. The decision to preserve integrity may be difficult but the cost of abandoning it can be even greater. When survival instincts override authenticity, the effects are far-reaching. 0 Erosion of trust: A person who changes their stance too easily becomes unpredictable, making it difficult for colleagues, peers and even leadership to fully trust their words or actions. 0 Loss of identity: Over time, repeated compromises can lead to an internal disconnect. When people consistently prioritise survival over sincerity, they may struggle to recognise their true values.

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“Integrity does not mean refusing to adapt or being rigid but rather it means ensuring that adaptations do not come at the expense of self-respect and credibility.

LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

Tougher enforcement for lorry drivers and owners WE frequently read alarming statistics about road crashes involving heavy vehicles – an issue that demands immediate action. with the Industry Code of Practice for Road Transport Safety – an unacceptable figure.

Motorists have frequently reported reckless and indiscriminate driving by lorries, trailers and other heavy-duty vehicles, including speeding, failing to stay in the left lane and dangerously overtaking smaller vehicles. Moreover, long trailers and lorries transporting heavy vehicles are legally required to be escorted by an escort vehicle, yet this regulation is rarely observed. To address this, we need a stronger police presence patrolling our expressways, along with stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Issuing summonses to drivers and fining companies that employ them will help deter the careless disregard for safety that has become all too common. Strict safety measures and mandatory defensive driving training should be enforced for all lorry drivers. Those with traffic violations must be closely monitored and repeat offenders should ultimately be barred from operating heavy vehicles. In addition, companies must take responsibility by conducting regular maintenance inspections and ensuring that all recommended repairs are promptly carried out. Legal load limits must be strictly enforced. In many countries, federally

Many of these vehicles are poorly maintained, with inspections often neglected and substandard components used, compromising their roadworthiness and increasing the risk of fatal accidents. – BERNAMAPIC

way will significantly reduce the risk of fatal road crashes. Comprehensive accident prevention strategies are essential and every step taken can help save precious lives. C. Sathasivam Sitheravellu Seremban

preventing being dislodged and posing serious dangers to other motorists. As a long-term safety measure, authorities can consider introducing a dedicated lane exclusively for commercial and transport vehicles. Enhancing safety measures in this them from

managed weigh stations ensure that cargo-hauling vehicles are inspected before being allowed onto public roads. Similar systems should be adopted and strengthened here. Additionally, there must be strict enforcement of requirements to properly cover and secure goods,