I once heard integrity defined as ’Doing the right thing even when no one is looking’. Integrity isn’t like a jacket that you can take out of the closet and wear when you are going somewhere. You either have it, or you don’t. Your integrity is something that no one can take away from you and can be considered one or your most valuable assets. You can’t buy integrity, nor can you sell it. You can’t always define it, but you know it when you see it (or the lack of it).
Integrity is one of the key components of your character. The way you deal with other people and situations is in great part determined by your character. Your character is formed by interacting with people and situations and can be developed (or strengthened) by striving to do ’the right thing’. Conversely, if you put yourself into situations where you allow yourself to do things that you know aren’t right (even though no one is looking), your character will eventually suffer. It will erode. Just as you can strengthen your character, you can erode is as well.
What do integrity and character have to do with sportsmanship? Sportsmanship reflects your integrity and character. Specifically, when relating this to Team Fortress or any other internet activity (other games, IRC, chat rooms, etc.), you may feel that no one is looking. After all, you are using a ’Quake Name’ that you picked for your persona. Some people really go to great lengths to develop their online persona. Some become well-known for one reason or another. But the thing about it is this - no one is really looking, are they? They don’t know your real name, do they? They don’t really know anything about you, do they? Besides, who the heck are they, anyway?
It is easy to feel anonymous when you play Team Fortress, get on an IRC channel, or whatever. But your character is showing every time you do it. Even if no one knows the ’real’ you, you are either developing or eroding your character. Remember, that is the true test of integrity, doing the right thing EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.
Sportsmanship, or the way you play the game, is really a reflection of your character. It is easy to see if you have integrity. It is easy to see if you are a cheeser and don’t care one whit about what you are doing to other people. There are wankers everywhere, but there are also honorable players too. It just isn’t right for the honorable players to have to put up with the antics that they do.
The next time you have a chance to ’do the right thing’, do it. Not only will you feel better about it, you will be strengthening your character. When related to Team Fortress, you will be adding to the quality of the game plus you will be doing something that is very important. You will be leading by example. You will be putting yourself in a leadership role, even if you don’t realize it. Believe me, it is very obvious to me when someone is leading by example. Leadership qualities, like character, are developed and strengthened by exercising them.
Right now there are new leaders emerging. This is a natural and normal progression. There are more and more decent and honorable players standing up and speaking out against the people who would rob them of an enjoyable game of Team Fortress by cheating or otherwise disrupting the game. I see more people stepping forth and assuming the mantle of leadership all the time, and I think it is great.
A lot of what I have said isn’t directed solely towards Team Fortress. Much (actually all) of it applies to your everyday lives as well. What I have told you has taken me decades to figure out. I hope it will be of some value to you.
Note: I first published this article in January, 1998 and I think it’s as timely now as it was then. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.
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