Joyce Raw a role model for integrity
Joyce smiles at me as I enter her office, her desk faces the entrance to the department she is part of and therefore she is the first person I meet. I have found another excuse to speak to her (although my excuses are becoming more transparent as to my true motive).
The more I get to know her, the more I want to spend time with her, and if she is not interested in me romantically, I would quite like to work for her. Why? because she is a model of ‘integrity’ and I will explain why that matters.
I have had the good fortune to have had two exciting and I think successful careers. My good fortune includes working for inspiring leaders and managers whom I sought to learn from at every opportunity. Integrity was something I always looked for in those who would lead me. The person I have learned the most from (and continue to learn) is Joyce, my wife.
What Integrity means to me and why it matters:
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. Integrity is regarded as honesty and truthfulness in one’s actions.
It is a personal quality of fairness which we all aspire to — unless you are a dishonest and or an immoral scoundrel. Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way (even when no one is watching). It is a personality trait that I admire, since it means a person has a moral compass that does not waver.
‘Integrity is important in building relationships and is the foundation upon which many other qualities for success, such as respect, dignity, and trust, are built.’
John C. Maxwell
Joyce’s integrity
- Principles – Core Values Joyce has a consistent set of principles and standards of behaviour; of what is important in life. A set of moral principles that help her to decide what is right and wrong, and how to act in various situations. It is a philosophy that is meaningful to us as a family.
- Responsibility. Joyce takes her responsibility as the leader of our gang (family) seriously. She is someone who always a take step forward in every event and situation.
- Culture – the way we do things around here. Cultures are a sense of identity, tradition, history, and structure Our culture has developed through rituals, beliefs, legends, and values. Joyce role models this culture everyday with unwavering consistency.
- Trust. Joyce issomeone whom you can believe in and rely on. We trust Joyce to turn up every day with her ‘A Game.’
- Honesty Joyce will always tell you the truth! (I know, I built those two careers on it).
- Protecting Privacy Joyce is a confidante for her family members and friends. They share sensitive information with her because they know she will honour and protect what is private to them.
‘If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.’
Zig Ziglar
Six lessons I have taken from Joyce’s integrity.
- Actions match words. The importance of reliability. To always follow through on your actions. You do what you say you are going to do.
- Excellence. ‘Near enough is good enough’ is no longer an option for me. I must always deliver to the best of my abilities on every occasion.
- Steady when it matters. Whatever the situation or crisis, take a beat and then continue. Several years ago, Bettina (our daughter who copes with a learning disability) had her first seizure it was a shock and there was no warning and we did not know at that time she had epilepsy. I felt a type of panic I had not felt before even though I had supported people with epilepsy as part of my work. Joyce was cool, calm and in control – how she is every day. Joyce was truly inspirational in how she reacted and how she supported Bettina.
- Own it. taking responsibility and accountability for one’s actions What does “Own It” mean? The term “own it” An affirmation of one’s actions or qualities, whether positive or negative. When you truly “own” something it means taking responsibility for one’s actions, especially mistakes or errors. it encourages self-acceptance and accountability, both essential for personal growth.
- Fair decisions – You are transparent about why. It should never be “because I said so” there is always an explanation and reasoning of why you came to this decision.
- Not having a personal agenda. During Joyce’s time as a CEO of a Carers Centre I observed Joyce’s leadership style, towards her team and her charity. Her agenda for the wellbeing and meeting the aspirations of her colleagues and the people who were supported by her charity, Joyce’s needs were secondary. I have endeavoured to follow Joyce’s lead.
In 2025 I finally retired and got my wish! Joyce is now my full time ‘Boss,’ and I could not be happier. Joyce told me you are now in the R.A.W not the RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps (British Army)) and our motto is… “Close enough is not good enough.”
40+ years I continue to learn and try to emulate Joyce’s principles of integrity.
Joyce says: To me the primary action of integrity is not so much consistency, but discipline. Very often it can be tempting to let people “drift” or figure it out for themselves. However, if you are known for having integrity 24/7 then this is not an option. Besides, I will always err on the side of imparting my wisdom – wanted or not! Coming from a large family, where your voice can get lost in a sea of much stronger voices, integrity is the one thing which underpins your survival. Do people always appreciate this side of your nature? No. Will they always come back to you again? Yes. I do not expect more of others than I expect of myself and that’s okay with me.
If you would like to read a little more about Joyce:
Steve Raw www.leadershipintheraw.org
Leadership in the Raw 