I do not believe that Jim Tressel began his coaching
career with a vision of being in the predicament he’s in now. All indications
are that he aspired to have a distinguished career marked by notable achievements
with high integrity. And up until recently, this would be a fair representation
of his life as a coach.

So what happened? How could an upstanding guy with a
remarkable career yield to the ethical violations he committed? The answer is
fairly simple—he succumbed to lowering his integrity bar. I can imagine it
happening this way:

A situation occurred earlier in his career where he had
to decide between upholding an NCAA rule or violating it to help a player in a
difficult situation. In his dilemma, he found a way to accomplish both. While
not providing an unsanctioned perk directly, he initiated an interaction
between his player and someone else who could “help.” Technically, he didn’t
offer the assistance and he could say he had no knowledge of anything happening.
For at least the past eight years, this resolution seemed to address this
recurring dilemma and it soon became the norm—his standard operating procedure.

When questioned by the NCAA authorities, Tressel had to
make another choice—protect his admirable reputation or reveal his untoward
practice. He chose the former and lied about what he knew and when. He continued
throughout the investigation compromising his integrity, until the truth became
known and the whole thing unraveled into a tangled mess.

Here’s the lesson: You are and will be confronted to
lower your integrity bar. The first time you may feel the pangs of discomfort
(guilt, anxiety, or otherwise feeling unsettled). The next time you do it, it’s
easier. In no time, you begin operating in the new normal—a lowered bar. The
test you’ve lowered your bar? You can honestly say it’s no big deal.

If you don’t protect your integrity from the beginning, you
are just as vulnerable as Jim Tressel. Think about your practice. Is there a “normal”
on which you should raise your bar? Talk to a trusted confidant for additional
feedback. Just remember—it’s not only a current decision; it’s your career you’re
putting at risk.