Integrity Matters Everywhere

‘Honesty is the best policy, until you are married.’ ~ Anonymous

Do honesty, truthfulness and trust matter to you? How much so?

Can we be too honest? Honesty is an analogous process: it is measured from 0-100 percent. ‘Darling, what do you think of my new hair-style?’ Lest you venture a response, think through thoroughly your response. She may not be expecting your total honesty. This is not Simon Cowell at his controversial and critical best. The truth may hurt, but at what expense? Even if it is not intended to be malicious, the damage criticism creates can be psychologically and emotionally permanent.

Trust is digital: all or nothing. If you have been betrayed before, how willing are you to trust that person again. Integrity combines trust and honesty, yet it is also about the amalgam and structural stability of these values combined.

Here, on this blog we aim to report on what is accurate as possible. Although the truth is out there, we are responsible for sourcing it out. Seeking our resources is part of being resourceful*.

I just completed reading the biography ‘Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell’, who is the producer of ‘X-Factor’ and was the lead-judge in ‘American Idol’. An investigative reporter wrote the book that proposes penetrating insight and frankness. Cowell’s rise from failed recording company executive to television celebrity and media icon, is fodder for tabloids and mainstream news. There is more than meets the eye on television. I leave you to be judge over his style and approach to business.

*Once I gain copyright permission from a few photographers, I will post some pictures from Sunday's TRI-Factor Cycling race.

Cheaters Never Prosper?

I was reading the last chapter of Chris Macca McCormack’s book ‘I’m Here To Win’ where he discusses his experiences with cheats in professional triathlon and other sports. He describes his disappointment on how the best, natural athletes lose out financially and on recognition.

So, when a cheat is tested and not found ‘positive’ in the results, did they still cheat? This calls to mind the allegory of ‘If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to see or hear it, did the tree fall?’ I have confirmed in races that I have participated that age-groupers and professionals have been seen drafting behind others - without the drafting officials' notice - and get away with it. Did cheating or some form of dishonest behavior occur?

Some of the major sports that are fraught with rampant doping or drug use is include competitive bodybuilding and cycling. One is a subjective sport, while the other is more objective in measure. In 1990-1993, I competed actively in bodybuilding earning one runner-up and three 3^rd place wins. I was never the largest guy (on-stage, as well as on the reserved national team) as I was a natural ectomorph, that is, I tend to be muscular on the skinny side.

After realizing – much to my chagrin and naivety – that many of my competitors were using anabolic steroids (muscle-enhancing pharmaceuticals) to gain an unfair advantage, I quit the sport entirely. Consider this: you either see used syringes in the locker-room, or a personal trainer administer an intravenous shot to a member - you got to see it to believe it! On hindsight, I think the sport is silly, and definitely questionable as a real sport when it is an open secret that the top guys were ‘on the juice’. The competitive amateurs (there were no professional bodybuilders) cleverly used ‘cycle’ and ‘stacking’ techniques to build unnaturally large volumes of muscles. The whole sport is a circus when drug use and the fear of getting caught surrounds athletes like a somnambulistic haze. At least the performers in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) – formerly WWF – are entertaining us with their steroid-inflated bodies. Several big names wrestlers have died due to prolonged steroid-related complications. A few Hollywood action stars have used steroids as part of their onscreen preparation; one suffered a heart-attack (and survived, but not his scandal) and the other was charged for transport of banned pharmaceuticals.

I have met cheaters in gambling who resort to ‘invisible’ methods of deception to make financial gains. What they do is certainly wrong for they create an unfair advantage. When caught, historically, they suffered painful and even permanent consequences. You cannot fool the 'house' (casino) for the house usually wins. With sports cheats, I wonder if they can look at all their lacklustre trophies today and say, honestly, that they earned it? With magicians, at least, they have a disclaimer that states that they are ‘honest liars’ or ‘charming cheats’. Heard the saying before? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Who does this apply to?

The issue becomes a concern when amateurs resort to chemical assistance to earn podium places. Even if they trained very hard, how would you distinguish between the success from your training and drug use? If going to the world championships in Kona, Hawaii is the epitome of athleticism then what does using drugs spell? Tactics? Strategies? Being smart?

There are other creative ways to earn advantages in racing: working on each of the disciplines, faster transitions, scientific training, selecting the races that suit your body and fitness, nutrition, rest, rehabilitation, using coaches, and investing in the hard work. Cheating is best left to cheats. They gain from somebody’s loss, and that is unfair to the athletes, officials, the supporters and the entire sport.

For updates, look at the man in the mirror.

Leadership Lessons: How do you uphold the value of integrity? What is it about your integrity that matters most? How do you deliver fully on integrity when corporate office demands your absolute obeisance and obedience? What do you do when your integrity is questioned? How do you build trust in your relationships?

Timeout: The Pause That Refreshes

It is nice to take time out to chill. The hustle and bustle of everyday, mundane, work-driven life can be quite a burden on our sense of self. The occasional break, whether deliberate or random, can provide relief to our sense of direction and bearing.


Tonight, my team of endurance sports friends gathered for drinks and food. We exchanged war stories, and traded moments of humour. It makes what we have worked on more meaningful. Beyond the training and strenuous work, is a pot of pleasurable and productive conversations. 


Tomorrow, we head out for our open-water swim. Our fearless leader, Matt will be headed for Bali for a week of well-deserved rest with his wife. The usual gang of suspects are quite motivated, so the team looks intact, with new faces joining us at almost every session. I believe that the group is self-motivated and will sustain in numbers until the end of the Singapore Biathlon. Then, we will assess if the team was truly born out of interest or of desperation. It does not really matter, as there are enough races to keep us focused on developing our personal capability. I would fully appreciate the integrity and intent of the team.

I had my bike fit this afternoon with Master Bike Fitter and Elite Bicycles founder, David Greenfield. I am appreciative of the company's sense of delivery, where they actively follow up on my progress and riding comfort. I had some significant adjustments to my aero-bars, but beyond that I was reassured that my bike measurements were consistent, and that my core strength was enhanced. David has his subtle way of, elusively, taking other peripheral measurements. I believe that he and his colleagues are seriously passionate about the quality of their work, and demonstrate values that will see them through to a successful business future.


Next week, we will hear read about shocking news concerning celebrity sportspeople. It make shake your confidence about the revelations of foul and unfair practice. Anyway, one thing at a time. Enjoy your weekend! I am looking forward to my Desaru long ride, and  quality family time. Thank your for reading, Readers! I am deeply touched by your support of this blog. Live long and prosper!


Photo-caption: Sentosa Swim Team (Karolina, Richard, Enrico, Desmond and Vijay) with Elite Bicycles co-director Adeline Khoo and David Greenfield (4th and 5th from left) at an open-house talk session.