Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.
Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching. People with integrity practice what they preach and maintain a consistent pattern of behavior aligned with their values. They have the courage not to follow the crowd if it means going against their beliefs. Integrity is closely aligned with the terms of honesty and authenticity. People with integrity tell the truth and have alignment in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
A person who lacks integrity could be described as pretentious, hypocritical, or insincere. They are pretending to be something that they’re not or they’re saying one thing and then doing another. It is important to be able to change your mind (and be open-minded), as you learn and grow. However, the main distinction comes in the intention. Is the person intending to manipulate another? A second important facet is self-awareness. It’s tough to be true to yourself if you don’t know who you are.
Virtue: Courage. Strengths of courage involve applying will and fortitude in overcoming internal or external resistance to accomplish goals. Strengths comprised in this virtue are bravery, perseverance, integrity, and enthusiasm.
Individuals with this strength might be described as honest, authentic, genuine, trustworthy, sincere, or real.
The content on this page is written for adults — and the character card linked below is our Grades 9–12 version. Our curriculum is differentiated by grade level, from Pre-K–12. Request free lessons to get a closer look at how P2 teaches character strengths across grade levels.
It is important to tell the truth.
Integrity is vital to individual growth. It is correlated with a multitude of psychological well-being measures. Harmony in your feelings, thoughts, and actions makes you better able to personally grow and achieve goals. Authenticity, and a lack of pretense, also makes you more likable and trusted by others, meaning your relationships will benefit.
On a group level, integrity is a cornerstone of high-functioning and sustainable teams, organizations, and societies. If you’re constantly wondering about your coworkers’ intentions, you will have a hard time working with them. This is why we look for politicians and leaders with integrity. We need to believe that they’ll keep their word — or at the very least, readily admit it when they must break a promise. If they don’t, trust and performance fail.
“You’re looking for three things, generally, in a person: intelligence, energy, and integrity. And if they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother with the first two.”
- Warren Buffet
“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
“To believe in something and not live it, is dishonest.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“Whoever is careless about the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”
- Albert Einstein
You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.
You notice and value the world’s beauty and people’s skills. You don’t take things for granted.
You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.
You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.
You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.
You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.
You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.
You approach life with excitement and energy. You energize people around you.
You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.
You believe that all people have value. You approach situations with an unbiased mindset and treat everyone with respect.
You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.
You let go of anger toward those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes.
You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.
Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.
Your choices reflect your values even when the choice is difficult. You are honest, keep your promises, and present yourself genuinely.
You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.
You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.
You value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.
You master new skills and topics on your own or in school.
You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.
You like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.
You complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
You appreciate that people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
You plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.
You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.
You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.
You are aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings. You understand why they do things.
You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.
You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.
P2 for Families gives parents simple, no-prep ways to talk about character strengths with their kids.