Workplace

In 1991, Tom Hill and the leadership at Kimray, Inc. noticed many problems springing from the lack of character. They started emphasizing character in employee meetings, recognizing employees for specific character qualities, and focusing on character in hiring and promotion decisions.

"Focusing on character changed our company," says Tom Hill, president and chairman of the board at Kimray. "We realized that good character is important in everything we do, which is why we named the project Character First!"

Teamwork, communication, safety, productivity, and sales went up. Carelessness, arguments, apathy, and turnover went down. "I didn't expect we could build our business by building character, but it makes perfect sense," Hill said. "When we do the right thing, when relationships are strong, when we have fewer problems at home, when leaders set a good example-everyone wins."

Thousands of other organizations have now used Character First! in more than 20 countries. Learn more on the history page.

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Implementation Overview

Before implementing Character First!, consider conducting a character survey so that you can identify needs and set benchmarks for measuring progress.

Developing character in the workplace has four key elements. Different companies might implement this pattern differently, but the basic principles remain the same.

1. Leadership Training
   

   Building character raises many questions. "Shouldn't people already have character?" "How can you teach character to grown adults?" "What if it offends someone?"

   
   These and other questions are answered in the Basic Implementation Seminar, which is usually a 6 to 8 hour course. The seminar explains what character is, why character matters in your organization, how you can build a culture of character in the workplace, what role supervisors and leaders have, how to recognize someone's good character, and how to use Character First! resources.

   After implementing Character First! for several months, your leadership team can take the character emphasis to the next level. The Advanced Implementation Seminar focuses on hard issues such as how to correct poor character, how to integrate character standards and existing policies, how to appeal when you disagree with someone, and how to focus on character when hiring or promoting employees.

   Finally, the Effective Leadership Seminar Series is a great course for those in leadership or those preparing for leadership. Topics include leading with character, understanding different perspectives, servant leadership, communicating with sincerity, overcoming anger, and encouraging morale.

   You can schedule onsite seminars by contacting a Character First! consultant or the Character First! team in Oklahoma City. You can also check dates and locations for upcoming seminars.

2. Character Recognition
   

   Managers usually find it easier to show appreciation for what coworkers do rather than how they conduct themselves, and today's performance-oriented culture sends a subtle message that it's okay to make small compromises in order to achieve. Unfortunately, little compromises often lead to greater compromises.

   Expressing your gratitude for a person's character helps to make the connection between good business relationships and personal integrity. It encourages the individual to persevere, and it gives others a real-time example of what a particular character quality looks like.

   1. 
      Spontaneous Recognition
      Recognize others' small contributions throughout each day. "Thanks for your thoroughness in this report. I appreciate your attention to details." "Thanks for taking responsibility for this department. It's a great feeling to know it's in reliable hands." "I heard you talking with that customer. Your patience and willingness to listen shows the kind of commitment to customers we need here." "Thanks for adjusting your schedule in order to help this afternoon. I appreciate your flexibility to help finish the job."
   2. 
      Public Recognition
      You can also give public recognition during employee meetings: "This month is Jim's 3rd anniversary with our company, and I want to recognize Jim for his loyalty, which is 'using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve.' Jim has shown loyalty by helping us find solutions and protecting our company interests. Just a few weeks ago, Jim identified a mistake in one product, and he quickly brought it to my attention. Jim's loyalty benefits our company because customers count on us to do it right the first time."
   3. 
      Written Recognition
      Express your appreciation in writing so that coworkers can take it home to family members. Write an occasional thank-you note. Print a certificate. Send an e-mail. Scratch a word of thanks when you sign off on documents.
3. Teaching Resources
   

   Character First! uses a list of 49 character qualities that relate to all aspects of life. Most organizations emphasize a new character quality each month, and this becomes a pattern. After 49 months, it's time to go through the character qualities again.

   This approach helps an organization define and emphasize particular aspects of good character, and it allows individuals to work out each character concept in daily life.

   Provide each employee with a personal subscription to the monthly character bulletins produced by Character First! You can distribute the bulletins to employees any number of ways, and each subscriber receives unlimited access to the Members' Library.

   Schedule a time in your department or division meetings so that managers can introduce the character quality. This meeting also provides a good opportunity for public recognition to employees who mark an anniversary or birthday that month. In the following weeks, each team or department can use the bulletin to discuss the character quality in greater detail and application.

   You can order support resources, such as posters, mousepads, DVDs, PowerPoints, framed display cases, ballpoint pens, notecards, certificates, and pocket guides. Character First! also publishes resources for parents and teachers if you want to support a local school or provide something for families.

4. Community Building
   

   Harness the energy, creativity, and resources of your people by establishing a character committee in your organization. This committee could include upper and middle management as well as employees, and its purpose is to keep the character-focus alive and well.

   The committee might encourage character through family events, community service, employee training, or discussion groups. The committee could also document and evaluate the effects of Character First! in your organization by comparing statistics that relate to character and conducting another character survey.

   Build community by promoting character education in schools, participating in events that promote character, and encouraging local leaders to emphasize character from their positions of influence.