The Six Pillars of Character

The Six Pillars of Character Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

TRUSTWORTHINESS! What does it mean to be “Trustworthy”? What characteristics does a trustworthy person posses? Personal assessment Practical application

Characteristics of Trustworthiness Integrity Honesty Promise-keeping Loyalty

Rate yourself! Do you tell the truth, even when it may cost you? Are you sincere, not deceptive, tricky or sneaky? Are you candid and forthright, volunteering information others may need/want to know? Do you honor others property?

RESPECT Respect is to have and demonstrate “worth” in all individuals as well as oneself. To have and demonstrate Respect is an ethical “duty” of all human beings Respect is not admiring someone because of status or relationship Respect is treating all people with worth and a sincere “attachment” to fellow human beings

Characteristics of Respect HONOR the INDIVIDUAL CIVILITY HONOR Reasonable Standards & Customs LIVING by the “Golden Rule” ACCEPTANCE of Differences RESPECT AUTONOMY of Others AVOID Violent Actions in Words and Deeds

Respectand Universal Standards The Golden Rule is seen in various forms in every world religion and is a fundamental ethical truth. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Rule of Universality: You must ask yourself, if everyone did “it”, would it be a “good thing”?

Respect: Rate Yourself Ask yourself how often you demonstrate these qualities? I treat others the way I wish to be treated. I respect the privacy of others (including kids). I respect autonomy and let others make decisions about their own lives. I am courteous and polite; not yelling, insulting or embarrassing others. I use please and thank you. I demonstrate acceptance and tolerance of racial, ethnic, religious difference and ability levels

Respect & Human Dignity Respect the dignity, privacy and freedom of other people with courtesy and with acceptance and tolerance of differences. “Sir, I will treat you as a gentleman, not because you are one, but because I am one”-Thomas Jefferson Adapted from Josephson Institute of Ethics. CHARACTER COUNTS! In Iowa is a project of the Institute of Character Development at Drake University. www.CharacterCountsInIowa.org.

Responsibility It requires us to recognize that what we do and what we don’t do matters and that we are morally responsible for the consequences of our choices. “Too many people are ready to carry the stool when the piano needs to be moved.” -unknown

We Should Teach our Children That: Choosing not to choose IS a choice Some of our choices are conscious, some are not We choose whether to be conscious and concerned about the consequences of what we say and do, including the choice to be willfully blind

12 Major Concepts of Responsibility Be Accountable Exercise Self-Control Plan and Set Goals Choose Positive Attitudes Do Your Duty Be Self-Reliant Pursue Excellence Be Proactive Be Persistent Be Reflective Set a Good Example Be Morally Autonomous

Responsibility Inventory: Do you assume your professional duty, what you really should do? Are you standing up and being accountable for what you do and what you don’t do? Are you really doing your best, pursuing excellence in all you do? Do you demonstrate self-control of your temper, desires, and passions? Do you demonstrate self-discipline by doing what you should do even when it is difficult or unpleasant?

Fairness • Orange – scale – symbolizes an orange that can be easily divided into equal sections for sharing among friends. • Fairness and justice are twin concepts concerned with processes and consequences. They establish moral standards for decisions that affect others. Fair and just decisions acknowledge and deal with concepts such as equity, equality, openness, impartiality, and consistency. The central idea of both fairness and justice is the same.

Components of the pillar: • Impartiality • Openness

Two types of Fairness • Procedural Fairness • Fair Notice – Did the accused have fair notice that the conduct was wrong? • Impartiality – Can you serve as a fair and impartial judge? • Fact Gathering – Be thorough without being compulsive. • Fair Hearing – Allow the accused an opportunity to tell his/her story. • Substantive Fairness • There is a moral obligation to make fair decisions. • Three rules about fairness of decisions: • Disagreements are inevitable – be content to do your best • Be clear about the criteria you use in the decision and let people know the standards ahead of time. • Have a clear procedure in place for reaching decisions • Fairness is when everyone get what they need/deserve, not necessarily what they want.

Six Theories of Substantive Fairness: • Merit – A person is entitled to that which he/she can acquire based on skill, talent, or hard work. • Need – A person is entitled to whatever he/she needs. • Might – A person is entitled to that which he/she can acquire irrespective of merit, need, or effort. • Equality – A person is entitled to an equal share of that which is available regardless of merit, need, or effort. • Seniority – A person is entitled to a larger share of that which is available as their age or longevity increases. • Effort – A person is entitled to benefits in proportion to the effort he/she expends regardless of merit, need, or power.

Wrap up and Discussion: • A Question of Fairness Exercise • You must fire one of the following employees/You can only keep one of the following employees. Who will it be? • Able – your newest employee is young, unmarried, and your best producer. Able gets more work done effectively than any other employee. • Needly – a competent worker of four years, is a single parent with three small children and needs the job the most. • Oldham – is a good worker, has been employed by your company for the longest (18 years), and is two years away from retirement. • Tryhard – is a good producer with a terrific attitude and is the hardest worker you have • Mighty – is a competent employee and is related to the Chairman of the Board.

Caring Caring is a cornerstone of ethical behavior What does if mean to be a “Caring” Person Personal assessment Practical application

Caring in action Be kind Be Compassionate Show you care Express gratitude Forgive others Help people in need DON’T: Be mean, cruel or insensitive

Rate yourself

Practice Caring Behavior “I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good therefore I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.”– Stephen Grellet, French Quaker missionary (1773-1855)

Citizenship Citizenship is the duties, rights and conduct and responsibilities of the citizen of a state.

Give me examples of Citizenship Be a good Neighbor

What does it mean to demonstrate Citizenship? Be a good Neighbor Care about and pursue the common good. Be a volunteer Protect the environment Play by the rules Respect authority and law Participate in making things better by voicing your opinion

Personal Inventory 1. Scrupulously follow organization rules. 2. Playing by the rules (no cheating, shortcuts) 3. Obeying the law/ Respecting authority 4. Paying your taxes (whatever is lawfully owed) 5. Performing civic duties (voting or jury duty) 6. Doing volunteer community work 7. Conserving our resources and protecting the environment.

Civil Disobedience “ One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that his conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is really expressing the highest respect for the law.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Letter from a Birmingham jail, 1963

Personal and Professional Thoughts for Consideration What are you doing now? What can you do to practice better citizenship? In your professional/personal contact with other people, think about what you do to teach or demonstrate the traits associated with citizenship.

Thank You Questions?

The Six Pillars of Character