RealCareer™ Employability Skills Program

Honesty and Integrity

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Soft Skill: Honesty and Integrity statements that compare the terms. Do you
agree? Why or why not? Integrity is seen as
Objectives:
more substantial than honesty. Honesty is
 Define honesty and integrity defined by a person's relationship to truth and
 Complete an honesty and integrity self- deception (or lack of it), while integrity is
assessment defined by a person's relationship to principles,
 Identify and analyze real-world stories of such as codes of conduct and/or morality.
honesty and integrity in the news Integrity stands as a more broadly demanding
 Problem solve workplace scenarios involving concept, morally, in comparison to honesty.
questions of honesty and integrity You can see how both are an essential part of
 Compare and contrast two different quotes being an effective leader.
relating to honesty and integrity 4. Have students turn to
Purpose: the Honesty and
Integrity Self-
Having honesty and integrity in the workplace is Evaluation page in the
one of the most important qualities of great student workbook. Give
leadership. Leaders know that honesty and integrity them 5-10 minutes to
are the foundations of leadership. Students will answer all the questions
learn what honesty and integrity mean and how to and score themselves.
apply these skills in their work and personal lives. This is for their eyes
Materials: only. It will give
students a chance to reflect on their own
 Leadership Soft Skills Student Workbook honesty and integrity and see if they have any
 Leadership Soft Skills slide presentation: slides opportunity for improvement.
50-51
Activity 2: Honesty vs. Integrity
Facilitation Steps:
30 minutes
Activity 1: Honesty vs. Integrity
1. Explain that the question of honesty and
20-25 minutes integrity is all around us in the media every
1. Honesty and integrity are linked together, but day. Whether they see stories on social media,
they are not the same. Before offering to define on television, or in print, there are stories every
each term, create small groups of 3-4 students day that raise questions
per group. Have each group work together to of integrity. In this
come up with a group definition of each term. activity we are going to
The definition should be a sentence or two, look for and analyze
describing what honesty and integrity mean to stories that raise
them. Responses can be placed on scratch questions of integrity
paper. that we find in the
news. Have students
2. Call the class back together and have each turn to the Integrity in
group share the definitions they came up with the News page in the
for each term. Next share the Merriam Webster student workbook.
dictionary definition of each term. Honesty:
adherence to facts; sincerity; fairness and 2. Have each student choose a story and complete
straightforwardness of conduct. Integrity: firm the questions in the student workbook. Allow
adherence to a code of especially moral or 15 minutes for students to locate a story and
artistic values; incorruptibility. Ask students if answer the questions.
these terms mean the same thing. Why or why 3. Call the class back together and have each
not? student briefly share a synopsis of their story
3. Share slide 50: Honesty vs. Integrity. This is a answering questions 2 and 3. Is there anything
chart that someone has developed to compare anyone would have answered differently for the
the two terms. Go through each of the 4 stories shared?

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

4. Have students turn to Quotes pages research and find quotes about
the Honesty and honesty and integrity on their own.
Integrity at Work page
3. Have students complete
in the student
the Quote Me activity,
workbook. Have
looking closer at the
students pair up or get
meanings of the two
into small groups. They
quotes chosen. Give
should read through
them 20-30 minutes to
each workplace
complete this activity.
scenario and discuss
what they would do in each scenario. Allow 15 4. Call the class back
minutes for students to discuss each scenario in together when everyone
their group and come to an answer. has completed the
activity. Ask for a few volunteers to share one of
5. Read through each scenario with the class and
the quotes that they chose. Ask what they think
ask for students to volunteer what they would
it means or to restate it.
do or what they think the people in the scenario
should do.
Activity 3: Honesty and Integrity Quotes and
Sayings
25-30 minutes
1. Share slide 51: Honesty & Integrity Quotes.
There are two quotes – one on integrity and one
on honesty. Read the one from the slide on
integrity. “Integrity is doing the right thing even
when no one is watching.” Ask for students to
tell you what they think that quote really means
and why. Next, read the
quote on honesty –
“Honesty is the first
chapter in the book of
wisdom.” What does that
mean to your students?
2. The next activity will
challenge students to
compare two different
quotes about honesty and
integrity. They could
both be on honesty or both be about integrity, or
you could compare a
quote about one against
the other. You could
even find two quotes that
include both terms to
compare. Students can
choose from the list of
quotes in their student
workbook from the
Honesty and Integrity

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

Integrity and Honesty Self-Evaluation

Instructions: Take this personal evaluation and answer each question honestly.
Question I am this I am this I am
way way never this
often. sometimes. way.

I live up to the highest ethical standards.

I am true to my best self.
My colleagues would say that my behavior is consistent
with my beliefs and values.
I always try to do what is right, even if it is difficulty or
costly.
I tell the truth unless there is a strong moral reason to
keep it to myself.
Friends and family know that I will be truthful with
them.
I do not compromise my values by giving in to
temptation.
I will not stretch the truth to make myself look better
than I really am.
I do not pretend to be something or someone I am not
just to be more popular.
If I see something that isn’t ‘right, I say something.
If I witness someone making a bad decision I say
something.
I can clearly state the values and beliefs that guide my
actions.
I cannot sit by silently while the big elephant in the
room is ignored.
I have an honest hard conversation with team members
rather than participating in gossip about a team
member.
My friends and family would describe me as an honest
person.
I am able to give constructive criticism in a respectful
manner.

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

I will confront someone if I see that person doing

something that isn’t right.
I will challenge my manager or supervisor if they are
doing something that isn’t ethical.
If I found out my employer was doing something illegal
or unethical, I would report it.
When someone tells me something confidential, I do
not tell anyone else.
If a situation occurs which results in breaking a promise,
I will consult with those involved.
I will keep my word.
I follow through when I promise to do something.
I do not tolerate inappropriate or hurtful behavior by
others.
Total: ___ x 3 ___ x 2 ___ x 1
3 points for each answer – I am this way often.
2 points for each answer – I am this way sometimes.
1 point for each answer – I am never this way.
Grand total (add all 3 columns together)
_________ points

72 – 55 You have honesty and integrity, even when it is not easy! Keep it up!
54 – 36 You are honest and have integrity but not consistently. Try to find ways to
be more consistent if possible.
35 - 24 There is room for improvement in your honesty and integrity. You’ve
done a great job being honest with yourself here. Now continue to look
for ways to practice these skills.

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

Integrity in the News

Instructions: Locate a news story online, from a newspaper or from social media that
involves a lack of integrity or honesty. Answer the following questions relating to the
story you have chosen.
1. What source is your story from? Is it reliable? How do you know?

2. How did the individual(s) in the story show a lack of integrity or honesty?

3. What could the individual(s) in the story have done differently for a better
outcome? Why?

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 RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

Honesty and Integrity at Work

Instructions: Discuss the following scenarios with your group/partner and be prepared to share
your response with the class.

Scenario 1: A team research project is due tomorrow and your team is scheduled to present the
findings at a meeting in the morning. But your team has been unable to gather all of the data you
need to complete your report. One group member says that he read some statistics a while back
that would support the team’s research, but he can’t remember the statistics precisely or what
the source was. He suggests using what he remembers and crediting an author he thinks might
have written it. Another coworker in the group agrees because she thinks it won’t matter
anyway. The last team member thinks you should include the information but not cite a source
since no one is certain. What would you do?
Scenario 2: You are part of an employee health and wellness team that plans events throughout
the year for others to participate in. There are 5 members on the team. One of the team
members, Layla, is late to monthly meetings and rarely volunteers to lead an event. Two team
members are gossiping and criticizing this person before a meeting one day. You walk in and hear
them talking about Layla, saying she is lazy and lacking self-discipline. They don’t know Layla has
been diagnosed with lung cancer and is missing often to attend her treatment appointments.
This is confidential information. What would you say or do?
Scenario 3: Juan, the Human Resources Manager, for a large advertising firm was approached by
an employee Rita who wanted to file a formal complaint that her supervisor was sexually
harassing her. Juan took the information from Rita and then immediately completed an internal
investigation into the claims from Rita. Three other female employees came forward within the
week to also report the same harassment. What would you do about the supervisor?
Scenario 4: Lynn is a customer service representative who handles incoming calls from
customers. A customer called in and told Lynn that the item she wants must be compatible with
her current computer model. Lynn knows that the item is not compatible. However there is a
contest going on in the office this month and if a sales goal is met, each representative will get a
bonus. This is the last day of the contest and this order would put Lynn over the sales goal and
ensure she gets her bonus. What would you do if you were Lynn?

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

Honesty and Integrity Quotes

Instructions: Choose two quotes from the list below or research two of your
own. Then compare and contrast the two quotes and complete the Quote Me
activity.

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his
integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. Bob Marley

We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t
take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count
unless you earn it fair and square. Michelle Obama

Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think
of you. H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are
what they preach. David A. Bednar

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home. Confucius

One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. Chinua
Achebe

Honor your commitments with integrity. Les Brown

The high road is always respected. Honesty and integrity are always rewarded.
Scott Hamilton

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

When you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity –
regardless of what others may do – you are destined for greatness. Napoleon
Hill

A life lived with integrity – even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune is a
shining star in whose light others may follow in the years to come. Denis
Waitley

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without

integrity is dangerous and dreadful. Samuel Johnson

It is true that integrity alone won’t make you a leader, but without integrity you
will never be one. Zig Ziglar

Integrity is making sure that the things you say and the things you do are in
alignment. Katrina Mayer

You can’t, in sound morals, condemn a man for taking care of his own integrity.
It is his clear duty. Joseph Conrad

In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and
energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. Warren
Buffett

Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will. Oliver Cromwell

Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are. John C.
Maxwell

The integrity of men is to be measured by their conduct, not by their

professions. Junius

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right
thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with
integrity. W. Clement Stone

A half truth is a whole lie. Yiddish Proverb

Every lie is two lies, the lie we tell others and the lie we tell ourselves to justify it.
Robert Brault

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other
people. Spencer Johnson

Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself. William
Shakespeare

Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and
truth loving. James E Faust

No legacy is so rich as honesty. William Shakespeare

It takes strength and courage to admit the truth. Rick Riordan

Honest people don't hide their deeds. Emily Brontë

When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. Khaled Hosseini

The truth is never dangerous. Except when told. Helena's Husband

People who are brutally honest get more satisfaction out of the brutality than
out of the honesty. Richard Needham

An honest man's the noblest work of God. Alexander Pope

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RealCareer™ Leadership Soft Skills Program

I'd rather get bad news from an honest man than lies from a flatterer. Ursula K.
Le Guin

Honesty is the best policy. Aesop

Honesty is the poor man's pork and the rich man's pudding. English Proverb

An honest man is believed without an oath, for his reputation swears for him.
Eliza Cook

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 Honesty and Integrity

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Leadership Soft Skills Program 50

 Honest & Integrity Quotes

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