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Integrity / responsibility

Integrity

Definition: 

Integrity means being honest, consistent, and true to your principles, even when no one is watching. It's about being the same person in private as you are in public.

Explanation:

Think of integrity as the foundation of trust. When you act with integrity, people know they can rely on you because you’re honest and genuine. For example, if you say you’ll help a friend study, you follow through because it’s the right thing to do—not because you’re getting credit or recognition.

Responsibility

Definition:

 Responsibility means understanding and accepting the impact of your actions and fulfilling your commitments.

Explanation:

Responsibility is about more than just doing what’s required; it’s about realizing how your actions affect others and stepping up to contribute positively. This value is essential in an international community, where everyone has different strengths and perspectives. By taking responsibility, you’re helping to create a respectful and supportive environment.

Where does it fit?

In a world as interconnected as ours, integrity and responsibility are essential values that guide our actions, build trust, and inspire respect across cultures. Integrity is about being honest and staying true to one’s principles, while responsibility is about being accountable for one’s actions and considering their impact on others. Both values are key to thriving in an international community, helping us act with respect, empathy, and kindness in our diverse world. In a diverse international setting, integrity means respecting others’ backgrounds and beliefs while staying true to your own. If you find a wallet on campus, integrity means you turn it in, trusting that others will do the same for you. In academics, it’s about doing your own work and avoiding shortcuts, like plagiarism, because you value honesty over easy success. Responsibility in school, for example, might be completing your part of a group project on time because your classmates rely on you, or picking up litter around school because you care about a clean and welcoming environment for everyone. It also means considering the global impact of your actions, like being mindful of sustainability or respecting cultural norms.

When it comes to integrity and responsibility, there are several key aspects to consider. Here are important points that you should consider:​

Practice Self-Reflection:

Regularly reflect on your actions, decisions, and their consequences on others. This could be through journaling or discussing personal experiences with friends or mentors.

Engage in Community Service:

Take responsibility through community involvement strengthens integrity. Identify local or global causes you are passionate about, and understand the importance of sustainable and impactful service.

Set Personal Accountability Goals:

Set short-term goals to practice accountability, such as taking on a group project role or volunteering. Track progress and evaluate challenges to build a habit of responsible behavior.

Learn From Mistakes

A responsible person learns from their errors. Acknowledge what went wrong, learn, and apply those lessons in the future.

Take a Stand for Honesty and Fairness:

Speak up when they see unfair treatment or dishonesty, advocating for truth and fairness even in challenging situations.

Contribute to Community

Engage in activities that benefit others, such as volunteering or helping out with group projects. It’s a hands-on way to practice responsibility and make a positive impact.

Integrity and responsibility are essential in a school setting, where people from various cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds come together. When everyone acts with integrity and responsibility, it builds a culture of respect, understanding, and fairness. Integrity creates trust, making it easier to connect across differences, while responsibility ensures that everyone contributes to a positive community. In this way, integrity and responsibility aren't just personal values—they’re essential for creating a school environment where everyone can thrive, learn from one another, and feel valued.

Why Integrity and Responsibility Matter

In the media

The Science of Honesty

Anna Lembke, MD, is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. She sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, has testified before various committees in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, keeps an active speaking calendar, and maintains a thriving clinical practice.

Integrity

How can you help your child stand up for what they know is right? Watch this animation with them and invent scenarios on the value of integrity. Encourage your child to think about their choice and seize that “teachable moment”!

Jordan Peterson on taking responsibility for your life

Canadian professor Jordan Peterson became a blockbuster intellectual almost overnight with his latest book, 12 Rules For Life: The Antidote To Chaos. It rose to the top of the New York Times bestseller list earlier this year. He joined 7.30’s Leigh Sales to discuss taking responsibility for your own life.

Make An Impact - Inspirational Video

Make a difference to someone through your actions

One Earth - Environmental Short Film

One Earth is an environmental short film I created and edited to help raise awareness about our impact on our environment. It tells the story of how we globally and massively around the world use resources for short term profit, by deforestating, mining, burning fossil fuels, consuming and ever expanding. Our lifestyle leads to the many environmental issues we face today in 2024, including global pollution, climate change, and the massive extinction of animal species.

What IS Trust - Simon Sinek

Sinek explains how trust, based on integrity, is foundational in relationships and effective teamwork.

Extreme ownership

Former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink talks about the role of responsibility in leadership, self-discipline, and resilience.

Developing more responsibility

Developing integrity is a lifelong process that involves self-reflection, learning, consistency and intentional actions. Here are some key steps in developing your value of integrity and responsibility:

If we want peace, we have the responsibility to be peaceful.

Foster peaceful and respectful relationships by practicing empathy and resolving conflicts calmly.

Responsibility is carrying out duties with integrity.

Act honestly and ethically in all schoolwork and commitments, avoiding shortcuts and plagiarism.

With rights, there are responsibilities.

Exercise your freedoms respectfully, considering how your actions affect others and the school community.

If we want a clean world, we have the responsibility to care for nature.

Show responsibility for the environment by reducing waste, recycling, and participating in community clean-up efforts.

When one is responsible, there is the contentment of having made a contribution.

Participate actively in school and community activities, knowing your involvement makes a positive impact.

Responsibility is not only something that obliges us but also something that allows us to achieve what we wish.

Use responsibly as a foundation to reach personal goals, building discipline and commitment to growth.

Responsibility is doing your share.

Contribute equally to group projects, helping others and ensuring tasks are completed with quality and care.

As a responsible person, I have something worthwhile to offer - so do others.

Value and encourage others’ contributions, recognizing that everyone’s efforts add value to a group.

Each person can perceive his or her own world and look for the balance of rights and responsibilities.

Reflect on how your actions balance your personal needs with responsibilities toward others.

Responsibility is accepting what is required and carrying out the task to the best of your ability.

Set high standards for your work, meeting deadlines and striving for excellence in all assignments.

A responsible person knows how to be fair, seeing that each gets a share.

Share resources, help others fairly, and ensure that all voices are heard in group settings.

Global responsibility requires respect for all human beings.

Show kindness and respect for all, appreciating cultural differences and working to include everyone.

Developing more integrity 

Engage in Mindful Reflection

Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and consider how they impact your interactions.

Engage in Mindful Reflection

Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and consider how they impact your interactions.

Engage in Mindful Reflection

Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and consider how they impact your interactions.

Engage in Mindful Reflection

Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and consider how they impact your interactions.

Remember that developing and virtue is a continuous journey that requires patience and self-awareness. It takes time to change ingrained habits and attitudes, but with consistent effort and a genuine commitment, you can make a positive impact on your relationships and communities.

What people say about respect and integrity

“In the end, you should always do the right thing even if it’s hard.”

Nicholas Sparks

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”

Thomas Jefferson

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”

Simon Sinek

“The integrity of men is to be measured by their conduct, not by their professions.”

Junius

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

C.S. Lewis

“You are responsible for the energy you bring into a space.”

Oprah Winfrey

“Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility.”

Michael Korda

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

Abraham Lincoln

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

Alexander Pope

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

Stan Lee

“Though I am not always responsible for what happens to me, I am responsible for how I handle what happens to me.”

Zig Ziglar

Moral stories about responsibility

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Greek

The ant works hard to store food for winter, while the grasshopper plays and doesn't prepare. When winter comes, the grasshopper asks the ant for food, but the ant refuses. The moral of the story is that hard work and planning for the future are rewarded, while failure to do so can have dire consequences.

"The Honest Girl: A Lesson in Integrity"

Indian

This story is influenced by universal moral values but is often associated with Indian folk tales, where honesty is highly valued. Such stories highlight the deep cultural belief in truthfulness and its power to uplift personal character.

"The Gritty Little Lamb"

European

This story emphasizes diligence and responsibility, values emphasized in various Western cultural narratives. It mirrors stories from European fables that focus on hard work and the importance of individual effort for collective well-being.

"Taking Responsibility"

African folklore

This narrative is inspired by universal themes but resonates with values often highlighted in African storytelling traditions, where community and accountability to one another are vital. Responsibility in African folklore is often tied to respect and duty within the community.

The Little Ant Who Learned to Take Responsibility

"The Little Ant Who Learned to Take Responsibility" is a motivational short story about an ant who overcomes numerous obstacles and adversity to achieve its goal of finding food for its colony. At first, the ant is quick to blame others for its problems, but it soon realizes that it is up to it to find a way to overcome the challenges in its path. Determination, and integrity.

"A Short Story on Responsibility for Kids"

Latin America

This type of story is found in diverse cultural traditions, but it resonates with Latin American storytelling, where family responsibility and intergenerational respect are paramount. Stories like these often emphasize the consequences of actions for both the self and the community.

Pound for Pound

European

A pound of butter for a pound of bread. The honesty and integrity you offer is what you get.

"The Honest Axeman | A Tale of Integrity and Reward"

Greek

This tale is based on the famous Greek fable "The Honest Woodcutter" attributed to Aesop. It highlights Greek cultural values, where virtues like honesty are rewarded by the gods or fate, reflecting ancient beliefs in divine justice.

"A Story on Honesty and Integrity"

China/Japan

This story reflects values central to many Asian cultures, such as those in China and Japan, where integrity is essential for personal and social harmony. Honesty in such stories is often seen as a foundation for strong interpersonal relationships.

"A Short Story About Honesty"

European

Join us on a heartwarming journey through the story of John, a young man known for his unwavering honesty and integrity. In a world where honesty is often tested, John's principled decisions make him a shining example of moral strength.

"The Wise Merchant"

Middle Eastern

This story is inspired by Middle Eastern folktales, which often feature merchants who must balance honesty with survival. In many Middle Eastern cultures, integrity in trade is viewed as both a moral and practical obligation, and tales highlight its importance for a reputable life.

The Tree and the Axe

African

In this story, the axe convinces the trees to vote to keep the forest from shrinking. The axe says, “I want you to thrive! Without trees there is nothing for me to chop!” The axe's actions turn the forest into a tree farm, where the trees grow quickly and are harvested when they are at their best.

Movies about responsibility

Akeelah and the Bee

Inspiring a love for education and community support, this film shows how personal determination and responsibility can lead to growth.

Remember the Titans

A story of overcoming racial tension, this film shows how unity, respect, and shared responsibility can change communities.

The Blind Side

Demonstrating responsibility and compassion, this story showcases how individuals can make a profound difference in another’s life.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Through resilience and integrity, Chris Gardner’s journey demonstrates responsibility to family and the pursuit of one’s goals despite hardship.

Freedom Writers

A teacher’s integrity and responsibility to her students lead them to value education and their own worth, transforming lives through empathy.

Hotel Rwanda

In the face of crisis, the protagonist’s commitment to protecting others exemplifies integrity and responsibility on a global scale.

Good Will Hunting

Will’s journey illustrates that taking responsibility for one’s potential and making honest choices can transform relationships and futures.

Erin Brockovich

Fighting against a major corporation, Erin exemplifies integrity and the responsibility to stand up for justice despite personal risk.

The Intouchables

A Parisian aristocrat, quadriplegic since a paragliding accident, hires a young man to be his live-in caretaker. Although very different the two men bond and develop a close friendship.

Dead Poets Society

This classic highlights integrity and the courage to stand up for personal beliefs, promoting individuality and self-respect.

Schindler’s List

Exploring moral integrity, the film captures one man’s responsibility to protect others even in the face of great danger.

Good books

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 

Through Scout’s experiences, this book teaches readers about standing up for justice and the importance of moral integrity.

 Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

   A journey of empathy and kindness, this book encourages young readers to take responsibility for how they treat others.

 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey 

Covey’s book equips teens with tools for accountability, encouraging integrity and responsibility in their daily lives.

 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

Set in Nazi Germany, this story explores moral integrity and the courage to do what is right, even at personal risk.

 

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank 

A powerful reminder of resilience and responsibility, Anne’s diary reflects her integrity even in dark times.

 

The Giver by Lois Lowry 

A dystopian novel about integrity, it questions the value of truth and the responsibility that comes with knowledge.

 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 

As he navigates two cultures, the protagonist learns about the responsibility to be true to oneself and others.

 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 

A philosophical journey of purpose, this book highlights personal responsibility and following one’s integrity.

 

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela 

Mandela’s autobiography showcases the importance of integrity and his unwavering commitment to social responsibility.

 

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 

A true story of resilience and courage, Malala’s activism shows responsibility to global education and justice.

Video resources

The Power of Vulnerability

A compelling talk on the connection between vulnerability and empathy, and how it can transform our relationships.

What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness - Robert Waldinger

Highlighting the importance of meaningful connections, this talk connects responsibility to well-being and fulfillment.

Why Do We Lie? The Science Behind Our Dishonesty - TED-Ed  

Your plan to set up your friend Carey with your acquaintance Emerson is finally coming together. You’ve made them a dinner reservation, but suddenly realize that there's a problem: Carey is always late. You really want this relationship to work— what if you told Carey dinner was at 6 instead of 6:30, so they arrived on time? Is it okay to lie? Sarah Stroud explores this classic ethical dilemma. Lesson by Sarah Stroud, directed by Avi Ofer.

Ash Beckham: When to take a stand -- and when to let it go

Ash Beckham recently found herself in a situation that made her ask: who am I? She felt pulled between two roles — as an aunt and as an advocate. Each of us feels this struggle sometimes, she says -- and offers bold suggestions for how to stand up for your moral integrity when it isn't convenient.

David Puttnam (2013)- Does the Media have a "duty of care"?

In this thoughtful talk, David Puttnam asks a big question about the media: Does it have a moral imperative to create informed citizens, to support democracy? His solution for ensuring media responsibility is bold, and you might not agree. But it's certainly a question worth asking.

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