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
Integrity
Jordan Peterson on taking responsibility for your life
Make An Impact - Inspirational Video
One Earth - Environmental Short Film
What IS Trust - Simon Sinek
Extreme ownership
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 Honest Girl: A Lesson in Integrity"
Indian
"The Gritty Little Lamb"
European
"Taking Responsibility"
African folklore
The Little Ant Who Learned to Take Responsibility
"A Short Story on Responsibility for Kids"
Latin America
Pound for Pound
European
"The Honest Axeman | A Tale of Integrity and Reward"
Greek
"A Story on Honesty and Integrity"
China/Japan
"A Short Story About Honesty"
European
"The Wise Merchant"
Middle Eastern
The Tree and the Axe
African
Movies about responsibility

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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