Little things matter—integrity is one of them. This simple truth often determines how far one can go in life, whether in personal growth or professional success.
A few days ago, I stayed at a 4-star hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. The overall experience was delightful: the staff were welcoming, respectful, and eager to assist. The food was equally commendable. But as the saying goes, “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine.” A single moment of poor judgment from one individual left an otherwise great experience slightly blemished.
*A Test of Trust*
On a particular day, I craved barbecue fish. I’d enjoyed some from a nearby barbecue stand earlier in the week and was looking forward to having it again. As I was about to leave the hotel for the vendor, I ran into a staff member named MK. Polite and pleasant as always, he greeted me warmly.
When I mentioned my craving, he offered to help me get the fish after his shift. Appreciating his willingness to assist, I handed him ₦15,000, recalling that the fish I had earlier cost ₦10,000. To cover any price fluctuations, I added an extra ₦5,000.
“That’s more than enough, sir,” MK assured me, and I asked him to leave the fish in the kitchen if I wasn’t around when he returned. Later that evening, I found the fish waiting for me, with a note from the kitchen staff saying MK would “talk about the cost tomorrow.”
*A Shocking Response*
The next day, MK approached me with a cheerful demeanor. After the usual pleasantries, he said something that left me momentarily speechless:
“Oga, I hope you enjoyed the fish. The money you gave was more than enough. I hope you don’t mind, sir—I spent the difference already. Sir, you know yesterday na Friday!”
I was taken aback—not because of the money, but by his complete disregard for accountability. He had made the unilateral decision to keep the change, assuming I wouldn’t mind. What MK didn’t realize was that I had planned to reward him with not just the change, but an additional ₦5,000 as a token of appreciation. His lack of trustworthiness cost him that opportunity.
*A Teachable Moment*
Rather than escalate the issue, I decided to make it a teachable moment. Calmly, I told him,
“MK, next time, be accountable. Inform the person of the cost and hand over the change. Then allow them to decide how to reward you. Remember, trust is earned, not assumed. As the saying goes, ‘Don’t eat your tomorrow today.’ You never know when someone might be testing your character.”
He responded with a sheepish “Sorry, boss.” While I hoped he understood, his casual demeanor left me unconvinced.
*The Lesson*
Integrity is not just about honesty; it’s about the small actions that build trust and reliability. As Booker T. Washington wisely said, “Character, not circumstances, makes the man.” MK’s decision may have seemed insignificant, but it reflected a mindset that could limit his growth.
In life, we rarely get second chances to make a first impression. Little moments like these define us, and as Benjamin Franklin once advised, “Honesty is the best policy.” It’s a principle that applies to every interaction, no matter how minor it may seem.
While I may never know if MK truly learned from this experience, I hope the lesson serves him well in his journey through life. After all, as the African proverb reminds us, “Little by little, the bird builds its nest.” Integrity, like trust, is built one moment at a time.
NB: Johnson Babalola, a Canada based lawyer, leadership consultant and corporate emcee, is a public affairs analyst. Follow him for discussions on real life issues that affect us all:* https://substack.com/@johnsonbabalola https://medium.com/@jblawyer2021 https jbdlaw Website: www.johnsonbabalola://www.facebook.com/jbandthings
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*You can obtain a copy of his book, REJECTED on Amazon, FriesenPress, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple Books, Nook Store etc.*
