March 2009
What We’re Doing…Really
By Luke Kallberg
While monitoring news stories a while back, I came across an article written by a small-town middle school principal, explaining his school’s character education program. I was struck by three goals he mentioned toward the end of his article—that students would “understand, care about, and act upon core ethical values.”
He was highlighting an important progression similar to the Character First! methodology of emphasizing, requiring, and recognizing good character.
Like this principal, we need to help people think clearly about what character is before we can try to inspire them to it. And we need to inspire them before we make a big deal out of whether they are doing it or not.
What we’re really doing at Character First! is helping people think and talk about character. Once that happens, the door opens for the discussions to bear fruit.
 |
Luke Kallberg joined the Character Training Institute in April 2008. He manages web content and media editing, and assists with marketing and curriculum development. Email: lkallberg@characterfirst.com.
What We’re Doing…Really
By Luke Kallberg
While monitoring news stories a while back, I came across an article written by a small-town middle school principal, explaining his school’s character education program. I was struck by three goals he mentioned toward the end of his article—that students would “understand, care about, and act upon core ethical values.”
He was highlighting an important progression similar to the Character First! methodology of emphasizing, requiring, and recognizing good character.
Like this principal, we need to help people think clearly about what character is before we can try to inspire them to it. And we need to inspire them before we make a big deal out of whether they are doing it or not.
What we’re really doing at Character First! is helping people think and talk about character. Once that happens, the door opens for the discussions to bear fruit.
I spend a lot of time thinking about how to make the Character First! Members’ Library a place where visitors can build their vocabulary of forty-nine character traits and use the words in real-life situations. Please take a moment to visit the free resources, and let me know what you think!
Luke Kallberg joined the Character Training Institute in April 2008. He manages web content and media editing, and assists with marketing and curriculum development. Email: lkallberg@characterfirst.com.
[http://www.chisagocountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=27&SubSectionID=131&ArticleID=9691&TM=38066.74]
[http://www.characterfirst.com/aboutus/#methodology]
[http://members.characterfirst.com/]
[http://members.characterfirst.com/qualities/alertness/]
Register by April 1st and save!
Save 10% when you register for the April 28-29 Basic and Advanced Implementation Seminar by April 1.
 |
April 28-29, 2009
Oklahoma City, OK
Early Registration: $351
Late Registration: $390
Browse course descriptions, download information, or register now.
Character Driven
Character First! helps leaders at every level develop character and build good relationships with coworkers throughout the organization. And a leader’s motives will have a profound effect on how successful he or she will be with this capability.
Increase Profits?
Greater profits might result as individuals develop good character. But if you focus on profits, then building character—and your people themselves—become a means to your end, and your people will know it.
Reduce Expenses?
Alertness reduces accidents, truthful employees reject fraud, punctuality saves time, and thriftiness makes the most of each dollar.
However, if you emphasize character to reduce expenses, you’re going to send the message that saving money—not having integrity—is what really matters.
Improve Quality?
People with quality character do quality work. However, if you care most about product quality, you will eventually sacrifice relationships and ethical standards to get there.
Benefit Employees, Customers, and Their Communities?
Relationships are where character happens, and good character is what makes relationships work.
In order to meet a need in the marketplace, you have to figure out exactly what your customers need. In order build a strong organization, you have to invest in the people around you.
Check your motives and find ways to benefit coworkers, customers, and family members.
Character First! has resources to help you see workplace issues in terms of personal integrity, build a vocabulary of character, and learn to encourage good character in others. Subscribe to the monthly bulletins and receive support videos, posters, teaching tips, and family activities from the Members’ Library.
For Kids—Picture This!
 |
Sincerity is doing what is right for the right reasons. Help your teacher without wanting extra credit or covering a mistake. Give sincere compliments in order to encourage others—not to get something back. Respect your parents and teachers, whether they are watching or not.
 |
Taken from the Sincerity Elementary Student Guide | $6 for set of nine qualities
Sincerity Thoughts
 |
“Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.” —Charles Spurgeon
“Whenever one has anything unpleasant to say, one should always be quite candid.” —Oscar Wilde
 |
“The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.” —Calvin Coolidge
