When Janet looked at her pay stub, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that her company had deposited more than her normal wages into her bank account. However, on the next payday, her paycheck was significantly less than what it should have been, and she went to her boss to complain.

"I'm curious," her boss said, "Why didn't you say anything when we overpaid you the other week?"

Janet responded: "I was willing to overlook one mistake, but two is pushing it."

Integrity: Either you have it or you don't. It's not something that you can have one day but not the next. It should be a constant in your life, like brushing your teeth.

I was invited to speak at the third annual Integrity Summit in Phoenix. Its mission is to significantly increase the integrity quotient in organizations and across the marketplace. The annual event was co-founded by Jerry Colangelo and Gregg Ostro, who also created the Integrity Business Institute, for which I'm a special adviser.

Integrity Summit 2013's theme of Inspiring Individual Integrity to Win could not have come at a more critical time.

It seems the anti-heroes - those doing wrong - versus the heroes - who do right - are being promoted and celebrated in America all too often. Too many messages in the media and across society seem to say that getting what you want - regardless of the means - is just fine. Well, it isn't. You know that and I know that and so must our employees and job applicants.

Cheree McAlpine, chief compliance officer for Avnet, the world's largest computer parts supplier and a founding sponsor of the Integrity Summit, said: "Our ability to impact change, drive strategy and our ability to lead are all based on integrity. Integrity is not that complicated. It's not academic. It's actually quite simple. It's the lessons we have learned to do the right thing; to stand for what we believe in."

Integrity begins at the top. As leaders we must set the example - that alone inspires our employees to do right. We must live by it in all we do, starting in the corner offices and promoted and expected throughout the organization, ensuring integrity is first and foremost in our decision-making. Enduring leaders know that the numbers will be better if integrity is not optional.

Peter Fine, CEO of event sponsor Banner Health, said: "If you're going to be an organization of integrity, you have to communicate what that means to employees on an ongoing basis. The integrity of our employees is the very best selling tool."

I think it's smart business to recognize acts of integrity and celebrate and reward them in organizations just as much or more than financial achievements or increased efficiencies or even a brilliant idea are rewarded. Make no mistake, when employees understand that management requires integrity, it will become the norm.

Mackay's Moral: Only those on the level can climb the highest peaks.

Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times best-seller "Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.