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Being Complicit and Having Integrity are Linked Words

'Complicit' is the word of the year for Dictionary.com.

Different dictionaries select "words of the year." Dictionary.com selected the word"complicit."

The other word that comes to mind when I think about "being complicit" is "integrity." I believe the two words and behaviors are almost always linked together. 

News from yesterday made me see the connection very vividly. When you hear people saying what they don't personally believe, in order to improve their lot in life or curry favor with another person, they have lost their integrity. My quote on that subject is, "Only you can take away your integrity." No one can make you lie; it is your choice. If you are giving up your integrity, many times it is because you are being complicit in a behavior, that is, if not criminal, it reveals your own personal value system.  

We all have values. The problem with today's world is that there is no "value-based norm" that is being followed. For instance, greed is a value. In these turbulent political times, watch for what the values are of the people promoting their agenda, and what will they do to achieve what they want.

All of the above made me think of another word: "sycophant"

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.
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