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Integrity Costs Nothing but Means Everything, Character Is the Ultimate Currency

  • Writer: Robert Eckelman
    Robert Eckelman
  • Jul 2
  • 2 min read

Integrity Costs Nothing but Means Everything, Character Is the Ultimate Currency

Be honest. Be accountable. Stick to your word. Hold others to theirs. Don’t bring people problems, bring them solutions. Be a Mensch- someone of integrity, decency, and guts. A person worth emulating.


Unfortunately, that’s not what I’ve encountered these past two months.

I am currently staying in an Airbnb while my home is being repaired from the hurricanes that hit Tampa last September/October.


The experience? It may be a first and last with Air B & B. This post isn't the review (that scorcher will go directly to Airbnb where it belongs). This is about character, the reward for having it, and the cost for lacking it.


When I first moved in, there were issues. Lots of them. Initially, it was the property management company.  I tracked down the owner, we met, and we had a conversation. He seemed like a stand-up guy. I believed him. We worked through the issues and came to an agreement. I told him I appreciated the effort, and I wouldn’t write a bad review.


Then the owners lack of character kicked into high gear.  I started getting emails from the management company and Airbnb, ignoring key facts, all the facts. Lots of nasty grams about a dozen over 1 weekend. The owner went back on his word and ran back to his property management company which then ran to Air B & B. I guess integrity was just for show. All is good on my end, truth and documentation are on my side.


So now? It is Game On. The no review will now be the whole truth, nothing but the truth with pictures and video. I am not out for revenge; that is a waste of time and bad karma. I do want to prevent others from the same situation. Much like if you've had troubles with companies you used in the past, I hope you would tell your friends.


Here’s the point: Your actions, your words, your deeds, your character follow you through life. It’s louder than your résumé, your job title, or promises. You may think no one notices, but someone, many people, always do.


I believe in karma, law of cause and effect, or whatever name you give to the saying “what goes around, comes around”. Sometimes it takes a while, but trust me, bad character compounds just like interest. So does good character.


You may know someone who could fall in a pile of manure and still come out smelling like roses. They just live right. They treat people right. They sleep well at night.


That’s the kind of person I want to be. That’s the kind of person I want to work with.

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