Have you ever met someone who never seems to do the right thing?
You know, that friend who only cares about themselves or always does whatever it takes to get what they want?
They may ignore their toxic behaviors or pretend that it’s no big deal.
But it is.
And there’s a reason they act this way, over and over again.
It’s because they lack integrity.
People who lack integrity have little to no moral principles.
They don’t know or care about what’s right or wrong. To them, it’s all me, me, me.
Dealing with someone like this is frustrating. Because…
1) They’re dishonest.
First of all, people who lack integrity don’t have an ounce of honesty in their bodies.
They have a habit of twisting the truth or not telling the whole story.
You can never count on them for accurate information because almost everything they say is half-truths or outright lies.
Building a healthy relationship with someone like this is impossible.
Everything may be fine at first, but dishonest people are discovered over time. And when trust is broken, it’s hard to repair.
2) They’re Unreliable.
Think about that friend who always cancels plans at the last minute or never shows up when you need them, even after promising to…
In most cases, this indicates a lack of integrity.
Reliability is about consistency and dependability. And people with high morals know this.
Without it, people become unpredictable. And it can be frustrating when you don’t know if you can count on someone, especially when you need them the most.
Unreliability also affects more than just plans.
If you work with someone unreliable, you can’t be sure that they will keep their word. This can put more pressure on you to make up for it and create a tense atmosphere.
On a personal level, it can be hard to feel safe and valued in that relationship if someone is always up and down.
Unreliability makes relationships bitter.
But don’t even think about confronting someone who lacks integrity about this.
Because…
3) They manipulate.
Along with honesty, people with integrity value ethical behavior. This includes openness and transparency.
People who lack integrity, well, they don’t care much.
If they can gain or achieve something by deceiving you or influencing you to be dishonest, too, they will.
Also, think about that person who is always trying to get what they want by inducing guilt in others or twisting their words…
This type of manipulation can be subtle, making it hard to spot at first. But over time, you’ll start to feel confused and unsure about your thoughts and feelings.
A person who manipulates in this way is dangerous. For them, it’s about control, but in a subtle way.
Another common form of manipulation is playing the victim. Sure, people can be wronged. But can one person always take the blame?
When someone is always playing the victim, there’s a good chance they’re just manipulating your mind. If you start to doubt what you know to be the truth, that’s a big red flag.
Integrity is based on trust, and manipulation undermines that by relying on deceptive tactics, no matter what form it takes.
Oh, and while we’re on the subject of playing the victim, you can also spot someone who lacks integrity by the fact that…
4) They’re always shifting the blame.
When someone has integrity, they admit to their mistakes. Those who don’t avoid responsibility and put the blame on others.
Or what’s called blame shifting.
Instead of admitting they’ve made a mistake, they’ll find someone else to blame.
Blame-shifting is a classic sign of a lack of integrity.
Not only does it annoy everyone around people who do it, but it also prevents them from learning and growing.
Integrity is about being honest and taking responsibility for both the good and the bad.
5) They treat people unfairly.
Treating people badly is a huge red flag that someone lacks integrity.
When they do this, they’re deciding who deserves respect and who doesn’t, based on random things like what someone wears, how they talk, or even who their friends are.
This isn’t just rude. It’s also superficial.
People who lack integrity may think they’re getting ahead by putting others down.
But here’s the truth:
True respect comes from treating others the way you want to be treated.
I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true.
But someone who lacks integrity doesn’t get this. And that’s also why…
6) They bully and intimidate.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone is trying to act arrogant, using their words or even their presence to make others feel small?
This is bullying and intimidation. It’s a clear sign that someone lacks integrity.
RELATED:6 ways to shut down a manipulator without losing your cool
You see, bullies use their power—whether it’s physical strength, social status, or just a loud voice—to force others to do something.
They’re like they’re in a game where they think they’re scoring points by scaring or hurting someone.
7) They exploit loopholes.
A person who lacks integrity won’t exactly cheat, but they will break the rules.
They have a sneaky way of getting ahead without directly breaking the law or rules. But what they’re doing is still unacceptable.
Exploiting loopholes may make them feel smart, but it’s just cutting corners.
It shows that they’re the type of person who wants to take the easy way out, even if it means hurting others.
People with integrity focus on winning through hard work, creativity, and playing by the rules.
People who lack integrity don’t.
And besides always looking for loopholes to exploit…
8) They misuse resources.
It’s not just about someone’s greed—people who lack integrity never think about the bigger picture.
They think they’re more important than everyone else and deserve everything.
Whether it’s using up all the milk in the office fridge or spending too much time on a shared computer in the study hall, it’s all about thinking about yourself first.
Misusing resources isn’t just unfair. It also shows disrespect.
I’m not talking about simple mistakes here, though. Sometimes people use too much of something without realizing they have to leave some for the next person.
But if someone lacks integrity, they’ll be selfish, shortsighted, and unconcerned about the impact their greed has on others.
9) They Breach Confidentiality.
People who lack integrity have no problem breaking trust. When someone tells them something in confidence, they have no intention of keeping that information safe.
They have no respect for others or their feelings. They don’t care about the consequences someone might face if anything they share gets outed.
Breaching trust is a serious issue. Depending on the situation, people can get hurt, lose their jobs, or worse.
It’s not just about the immediate drama it causes. There’s always a ripple effect that can affect people’s lives in big ways.
But the worst part? People who break trust often do so simply because…
10) They spread rumors and gossip.
And they love to do it – a lot!
You see, they want drama to unfold. They don’t care if people get hurt. They love to ruin friendships, destroy reputations, and even bully people.
When someone does this, it’s not just rude. Gossiping shows a disregard for other people’s feelings.
And a clear lack of integrity.
11) They ignore moral implications.
Have you ever seen someone walk past a “Please Recycle” sign and throw a plastic bottle in the trash? It’s as if they see the rules but choose to ignore them.
This may seem silly and petty, but it’s not.
People who do things like this aren’t just breaking small social rules. They’re ignoring the big picture of what’s right and what’s wrong.
This shows that they prefer convenience or personal gain over doing what’s right.
When someone ignores the moral side of things, it’s not just about them. Their actions could be hurting people, animals, or even the planet.
It’s like companies polluting rivers to save money on waste disposal. They may save a dollar, but at what cost to the environment and communities?
More often than not, if someone is like this, there’s also a very good chance that they…
12) They lack transparency.
Whether it’s not telling the whole truth or keeping secrets about important things, a lack of transparency is another clear sign that someone lacks integrity.
I’m not talking about the little things. Sometimes, it’s better to be nice than to be honest.
But when someone isn’t transparent about serious matters that affect others, it can turn into a huge mess.
In addition to causing rumors, misunderstandings, and unnecessary drama, a lack of transparency can hurt people.
Some of the more widespread stories that reveal this have been in the news before. But we often don’t realize that the people right under our noses can be guilty of this, too.
Having someone in your life who lacks integrity can wreak havoc on your mental health, which in turn can lead to physical symptoms of stress or hurt.
You can try to have a calm conversation with them about their behavior, but if they refuse to budge, don’t blame yourself.
Sometimes, creating distance between you and someone with toxic traits like these is the best thing you can do.
