Redefine integrity
- 1. Redefine Integrity The word integrity comes from the same Latin root as "integer," or whole number. Like a whole number, a person of integrity is undivided and complete. This means that the ethical person acts according to her/his beliefs, not according to expediency. He/She is also consistent. There is no difference in the way he/she makes decisions from situation to situation; her/his principles don’t vary at work or at home, in public or alone.
- 2. Always remember • People without integrity are called "hypocrites" or "two-faced." • These six core ethical values form the foundation of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Youth-ethics initiative. • A more detailed discussion of the Six Pillars is available here.
- 3. T R R F C C T rustworthiness R espect R esponsibility F airness C aring C itizenship
- 4. Trustworthiness Be honest Don’t deceive, cheat or steal Be reliable—do what you say you’ll do Have the courage to do the right thing Build a good reputation
- 5. Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country When others trust us, they give us greater leeway because they feel we don’t need monitoring to assure that we’ll meet our obligations. They believe in us and hold us in higher esteem. That’s satisfying. At the same time, we must constantly live up to the expectations of others and refrain from even small lies or self-serving behaviour that can quickly destroy our relationships.
- 6. Respect Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule Be tolerant of differences Use good manners, not bad language Be considerate of the feelings of others Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements
- 7. Continue…. People are not things, and everyone has a right to be treated with dignity. We certainly have no ethical duty to hold all people in high esteem, but we should treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are and what they have done. We have a responsibility to be the best we can be in all situations, even when dealing with unpleasant people. The Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you — nicely illustrates the Pillar of respect. Respect prohibits violence, humiliation, manipulation and exploitation. It reflects notions such as civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy, tolerance and acceptance.
- 8. Responsibility Do what you are supposed to do Persevere: keep on trying! Always do your best Use self-control Be self-disciplined Think before you act — consider the consequences Be accountable for your choices
- 9. Life is full of choices. Being responsible means being in charge of our choices and, thus, our lives. It means being accountable for what we do and who we are. It also means recognizing that our actions matter and we are morally on the hook for the consequences. Ethical people show responsibility by being accountable, pursuing excellence and exercising self-restraint. They exhibit the ability to respond to expectations. Continue….
- 10. Fairness Most would agree it involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality, openness and due process. Most would agree that it is unfair to handle similar matters inconsistently. Most would agree that it is unfair to impose punishment that is not commensurate with the offense. But essentially fairness implies adherence to a balanced standard of justice without relevance to one’s own feelings or inclinations.
- 11. • Impartiality • Decisions should be made without favouritism or prejudice. • Equity • An individual, company or society should correct mistakes, promptly and voluntarily. It is improper to take advantage of the weakness or ignorance of others. Continue….