Show-Me 4-H’ers Character The Six Pillars of Character Module 3 The Six Pillars of Character In previous modules we have talked about the history of character, some character education theory and definitions for character, ethics and values. This module begins to put character into action using the Six Pillars of Character; describing each pillar and the important attributes of the pillars. As we talk about each of these pillars think about situations you have found yourself in that deal with the particular pillar. Particularly think about 4-H examples.

PILLAR ONE Trustworthiness The first pillar tends to serve as the umbrella for several important concepts. Remember trust is earned. Just saying you are trustworthy doesn’t mean people will accept your assessment –you must prove it. We should understand that trust is essential to: Meaningful personal relationships Enduring and rewarding friendships Successful associations Understanding that relationships built on trust can be permanently damaged by untrustworthy behavior.

Even Small Lies and Deceptions Can Topple Towers of Trust Towers of trust are built stone by stone, yet no tower is so tall or so strong that it can stand when lies and deceptions undermine the stones at its base. The over-arching concept that embodies Trust is Even Small Lies and Deceptions Can Topple Towers of Trust, Towers of trust are built stone by stone, yet no tower is so tall or so strong that it can stand when lies and deceptions undermine the stones at its base. We are all likely to remember situations where one act has caused distrust over a long period of time.

Trustworthiness Embodies Four Ethical Principles Integrity Honesty Promise-keeping Loyalty Trustworthiness Embodies Four Ethical Principles Integrity Honesty Promise-keeping Loyalty

Trustworthiness Integrity Though living up to personal values and walking the talk are critical aspects of integrity, these are not enough. A person of integrity must also recognize and live up to universal moral obligations.

Integrity Integrity is moral wholeness demonstrated by a consistency of: Thoughts – what we think Words – what we say Deeds – what we do Duties – what we should do Integrity is moral wholeness demonstrated by a consistency of: Thoughts – what we think Words – what we say Deeds – what we do Duties – what we should do

What is right is right even if no one else is doing it. Integrity requires three steps: Discerning what is right and wrong Acting on what is right even if it is personally costly Saying openly that you are acting on your understanding of right from wrong. What is wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.

Trustworthiness Honesty The next principle of trustworthiness is Honesty.

Honesty Do: Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Be sincere. Be forthright and candid. Don’t: Lie. Cheat. Steal. Be sneaky, tricky or deceptive. Honesty means you tell the truth, you are sincere and forthright and candid. It also means you don’t lie, cheat, steal and you are not sneaky, tricky or deceptive.

So,what else have you lied to me about? White lies often look very different from the perspective of the person lied to. So,what else have you lied to me about? Thank you for caring THE TEST: Upon learning of the lie, would the person lied to thank you for caring, or feel manipulated or betrayed? You may be wondering if there is a test for whether or not to be honest. And, there is. Upon learning of the lie, would the person lied to thank you for caring or feel manipulated or betrayed?

Trustworthiness Promise-Keeping The third principle is promise-keeping.

Reliability & Promise-Keeping Keep your word. Honor your commitments. Be dependable — do what you are supposed to do, return what you borrow; pay your debts. Show up where and when you are supposed to. Be prepared — do your homework and bring what you need to do your work. Promise-keeping is a vital moral aspect of reliability. Promises create duties beyond legal obligations – if we say we will do something we are committed to doing it. People have a right to rely on us to do what we commit to do whether or not there is an enforceable obligation. Beyond that promise-keeping means: Keeping your word Honoring your commitments Being dependable Showing up where and when you are supposed to Being prepared.

Trustworthiness Loyalty The last principle is loyalty. Loyalty implies a steadfast and devoted attachment that is not easily turned aside.

Loyalty Do Stand by, stick up for and protect your family, friends, school and country. Be a good friend. Look out for those who care about you. Keep secrets. Don’t Betray a trust. Let your friends hurt themselves. Do anything that is wrong, even for a friend or just so others will like you. Ask a friend to do anything wrong. Spread hurtful rumors or gossip. Loyalty implies that we: Stand by, stick up for and protect our family, friends, school and country. Are a good friend. Look out for those who care about us. Keep secrets. It means we don’t Betray a trust. Let your friends hurt themselves. Do anything that is wrong, even for a friend or just so others will like us. Ask a friend to do anything wrong. Spread hurtful rumors or gossip.

PILLAR TWO Respect The essence of respect is to show solemn regard for the worth of people – including yourself.

Two Aspects of Respect What You Think of Others How You Treat Others The two aspects of respect include what you think of others and how you treat others.

RESPECT Follow the Golden Rule Be tolerant and accept differences Be nonviolent Be courteous Respect means: Following the Golden Rule Being tolerant and accepting differences Being nonviolent Being courteous

PILLAR THREE Responsibility Life is full of choices…responsibility is an important aspect of good character concerned with the moral obligation to choose attitudes, words and actions, and the duty to accept personal responsibility for the consequences of those actions.

Responsibility Responsibility requires you to recognize that what you do — and what you don’t do — matters. Responsibility requires you to recognize that what you do — and what you don’t do — matters.

Responsibility Duty Accountability Pursue Excellence Exercise Self-Control Responsibility means you: Do your duty Are accountable Pursue excellence Exercise self-control

PILLAR FOUR Fairness While we normally mention just fairness the concept includes fairness and justice. They establish the moral standards for decisions that affect others.

Fairness Play by the rules Take turns and share Be open-minded; listen to others Don’t take advantage of others Don’t blame others carelessly Fairness means: Play by the rules Take turns and share Be open-minded; listen to others Don’t take advantage of others Don’t blame others carelessly

What is Fairness? Fairness is concerned with actions, processes, and consequences that are morally right, honorable and equitable. Fairness is concerned with actions, processes, and consequences that are morally right, honorable and equitable. It implies an adherence to a standard of rightness or lawfulness without reference to our own feelings or inclinations. It also implies freedom from prejudice or impartiality for or against any side. It is the standards we should use so others believe they have been treated fairly.

Procedural Fairness Requires… 1. Fair Notice 2. Impartiality 3. Gathering of the Facts 4. Fair Hearing There are two aspects of fairness - procedural and sustentative Procedural Fairness reflects how we do things and requires… Fair Notice Impartiality Gathering of the Facts Fair Hearing

Substantive Fairness Results — what we decide, the substance of the decision. The moral obligation is to make fair decisions; this is called substantive fairness. Substantive Fairness Reflects results — what we decide, the substance of the decision. The moral obligation is to make fair decisions; this is called substantive fairness.

Six Theories of Substantive Fairness Merit Need Might Equality Seniority Effort Six Theories of Substantive Fairness Merit – People are entitled to whatever they can earn or acquire based on skill, talent or hard work Need – People are entitled to whatever they need Might – People are entitled to whatever they can acquire irrespective of merit, need or effort. Power is the basic determinant here. Equality – People are entitled to an equal share of whatever is available irrespective or merit, need, power or effort. Seniority – People are entitled to benefits such as jobs and compensation based on seniority, how long they have been working for an organization. Effort – People are entitled to benefits in proportion to the effort they expend.

PILLAR FIVE Caring Good character requires caring. This statement almost sounds like a demand to have a certain feeling. It’s true that emotion is often involved in caring. But, it’s also true that caring is an attitude and behavior which can be learned and practiced. Emotion often follows behavior.

Caring Be kind Be compassionate and show you care Express gratitude Forgive others Help people in need Caring means we are Kind Compassionate and show we care Express gratitude Forgive others Help people in need

A Caring Person Is Not: Mean, cruel or insensitive Selfish or self-centered Too busy to lend a helping hand A Caring Person Is Not: Mean, cruel or insensitive Selfish or self-centered Too busy to lend a helping hand

Elements of Caring: Concern for others’ well-being Compassion Empathy Kindness Charity The elements of caring include: Concern for others’ well-being – which means you engage or involve yourself in the well-being of others as if your happiness depended upon theirs Compassion – meaning we have sorrow or concern for the suffering of others accompanied by the urge to help Empathy – is the ability to share in another person’s thoughts and feelings Kindness – implies an inclination to be charitable and do good. Charity is the voluntary giving of money or other help to people in need.

PILLAR SIX Citizenship The last pillar is citizenship which is the duties, rights, conduct and responsibilities of the citizen of the state.

Citizenship Do your share to make your school and community better Cooperate Stay informed; vote Be a good neighbor Obey laws and rules Respect authority Protect the environment Citizenship Do your share to make your school and community better Cooperate Stay informed; vote Be a good neighbor Obey laws and rules Respect authority Protect the environment

The Six Pillars of Character Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship There you have it. The Six Pillars of Character and what in essence they stand for. Each pillar is powerful as it stands alone but its meaning is limited. But when you put all six together and live and operate your lives from the combination of all six it becomes a winning combination. In the next module we will talk about how you make decision based on the pillars – especially when pillars seem to be in conflict with one another.