Blog/News
Who Are You Hanging Out With?
I recently had to advise one of my team members after witnessing her in a heated argument with a colleague. I simply messaged her on our internal system:
“You can’t soar like an eagle if you hang out with chickens and buzzards all the time.”
It’s a quote I saw years ago in a friend’s house back in Kokomlemle, Accra. I’ve never forgotten it.
Lately, I’ve been following the press conferences by the Ghanaian Attorney General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The naming, shaming, and prosecution of individuals accused of corruption have been intense. Some are now facing trial or even incarceration.
It made me pause and reflect:
- Were these people always corrupt?
- Did they enter public service intending to steal from the very people they were meant to serve?
- Were they simply “bad” people?
I don’t think so.
I believe the answer lies in influence, who we surround ourselves with. Most of these individuals didn’t act alone. Despite the many controls and checks in our systems, they found ways to sidestep them, because others enabled them. There was collusion, complicity, and ultimately, a failure of collective integrity.
Let’s not be quick to think we’re immune. Many of us today are only a few compromises away from bringing shame upon ourselves and our families. I’ve seen people trade their credibility for small favours, caught in a web of little lies and unethical decisions. Some job seekers lie on their CVs. Others parade fake titles like “Dr.” with no accredited PhD. Why? Because someone told them no one checks.
But integrity is not about getting caught, it’s about living in harmony with yourself. When you compromise your values, you don’t sleep well, you second-guess yourself, and you carry constant stress. It’s a kind of personal disharmony, a misalignment of your values, actions, and identity.
But when you stand by your values, you grow. You sleep better. You attract the right people. You build a name, not just fame.
So, ask yourself:
- Who are you spending time with?
- Can you stand your ground when it matters?
- How important is your name and legacy?
Criminals breed other criminals. Mediocrity attracts mediocrity. If you surround yourself with integrity, excellence, and purpose, you will rise above.
Let’s stop chasing validation from people who don’t even care. You own 10 houses in East Legon, so what? At what cost?
We are better than shortcuts. Let’s live and lead with integrity.