Character
People’s character is always based on our education; every value we know, every action we see… There is always an explanation. If we talk about character; we can think of many values, generosity, integrity, loyalty, devotion, loving, kindness, sincerity, self-control, etc. We base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on; values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. These values were identified by a nonpartisan, secular group of youth development experts in 1992 as core ethical values that transcend differences.
Trustworthiness.
Respect.
Responsibility.
Fairness.
Caring.
Citizenship.
Also known as Terrific because of the acronym T.R.R.F.C.C. The six pillars of character.
Trustworthiness
Be honest.
Don’t cheat, steal or lie.
Do what you said you’ll do.
Be loyal.
Do the right things.
Show your gratitude.
Keep confidences.
Trustworthiness is essential if we want to build a good reputation. People are going to trust in us if we demonstrate we care about this value. If we do not show trustworthiness; our relationships will break.
Respect
Be accepting of differences.
Be courteous to others.
Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone
Respect is defined as feeling or showing esteem or honor for someone or something. Even if we do not agree; we must respect each other.
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do.
Persevere.
Be self-disciplined.
Self-control.
A responsibility is something you are expected to do. A responsibility might be a task you are expected to do. Being responsible is important because we will always do our tasks and many people appreciate the responsibility.
Fairness
Don’t take advantage of others.
Play by the rules.
Don’t blame others carelessly.
Make decisions without playing favorites or discrimination and don't take advantage of others. Don't blame others carelessly or unjustly. Take only your fair share, take turns, and share with others.
Caring
Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Express gratitude.
Forgive others.
Help others.
Show you care.
The definition of caring is someone or something that shows kindness and concern for others. A person who is concerned about others and who does kind things for them is an example of someone who would be described as caring.
Citizenship
Cooperate.
Stay informed.
Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
Protect the environment.
This means to think about others: my actions affect others.
Finally, character traits are valued aspects of a person's behavior. Everyone has character traits, both good and bad. Character traits are often labeled with descriptive adjectives such as patient, unfaithful or jealous. Develop a deeper understanding of this concept by exploring an extensive list of examples of character traits. Knowing values is also an advantage in our personal development.
By Nicole Madiedo, Step 10 Blue.