(This is a list of behaviors observed in people who possess this competence)

• They act on their beliefs. They are transparent, coherent, direct and sincere.

• They fulfill the commitments they have made.

• They take responsibility for what they do.

• They are not led by what others say, by social pressure or by pressure from their environment. They have a well-defined personality.

• They see themselves objectively.

• They convey trust and credibility.

• They are discreet and do not use confidential information indiscriminately.

• They recognize their errors and know how to apologize.

• They present the truth candidly, at the right time and in a kind way.

• They don’t speak badly of others behind their backs.

• They manage economic and material goods coherently.

• They don’t take advantage of others’ oversights.

Behaviors in the assessment questionnaire

• They act on their beliefs. They are transparent, direct and sincere.

• They consistently act on their principles.

• They act fairly when it comes to recognizing, defending and demanding what each person deserves.

• They take responsibility for their actions.

(This is a list of negative behaviors observed in people who do not possess this competence to a sufficient extent)

• They act against their beliefs.

• They are indiscreet and seek out gossip.

• They are easily manipulated and change their minds easily, to the surprise of others.

• They change their minds according to circumstances or people.

• They lack the conviction needed to take action.

• They lack personal and professional priorities.

• They don’t know what they’re going to come up with in some situations. They are inconsistent and fickle.

• They make promises they can’t keep. They don’t know their limitations.

• They don’t acknowledge their own mistakes and blame others.

• They judge others hastily and without motive.

• They blame others for their own mistakes.

• They lack projects that excite and motivate.

• They abandon projects before finishing them.

(Suggestions for questions that mentors can ask students to reflect on and, therefore, propose ways they think they can improve)

• Do you maintain consistency between your principles and values, on the one hand, and your decisions, on the other?

• Do you follow principles or are you swayed by the circumstances?

• Are you an example to those who work with you?

• Do you assess yourself objectively or do you tend to think highly of yourself?

• Do you know how to value what you have (material goods, a place at the university, etc.) or do you see it as an obligation from your parents?

• Do you ask others for their opinion of you? Do you get angry if someone criticizes you?

• Do you keep commitments, even if they are sometimes a burden?

• Do you put off commitments for personal reasons? How often?

• Are you able to acknowledge when you’re wrong? Do you put things right?

• Are you sincere with others? For example, with your parents, teachers, mentor and friends?

• Do you like gossip? Do you usually talk about others?

• Take any of the questionnaires on values (the document or the website) to learn about your core principles and their order.

• Do the results of the questionnaire correspond to the principles you live by on a daily basis? Score them according to how you live by them on a day-to-day basis and then, with someone you trust (e.g. your mentor, your parents or a friend), discuss how you can improve the principles you’re not sticking to as you’d like.

• Think of three to five actions you could do to follow your principles on a day-to-day basis.

• Integrity is about honesty, but it’s also about knowing how to tell the truth at the right time and in the right way.

• Therefore, think about the areas of your life where you invent excuses (university, friends, home, etc.) and write a list. Set a goal and a deadline. Once the deadline has passed, think about whether or not you have achieved the goal. Make the goal harder as the weeks go by.

• At the same time, add situations where you’d like to speak up (for example, to a friend you know is not doing well, to a teacher who has criticized you unfairly, to decline an assignment you’ve accepted but don’t have time for or to negotiate a project deadline) and follow the goal-setting/monitoring procedure described in the previous section. If you do this with a person you trust (your mentor or a friend from a higher year), it will be easier.

• We all make mistakes, but we don’t always say sorry when we hurt others or something has gone wrong because of us. Read the document Sorry in the resources part of this section to learn the importance of saying that magic word.

• Take a moment to reflect. Think about a recent situation that has made you feel resentful or that has gone wrong. Set a deadline to apologize. Follow the advice in the document at all times.

• Once the deadline has passed, assess whether or not you have fulfilled what you set out to do and whether there are other things to apologize for.

Documento 

• It doesn’t matter whether you spread gossip or just listen to it, talking about other people’s lives behind their backs doesn’t solve anything, doesn’t help generate an atmosphere of trust and always has at least one victim.

• If you’re engaged in a conversation and a rumor comes up or someone speaks badly of someone else, end it before it threatens that person’s privacy.

• If you find out something important from an unreliable source such as a rumor, go to the person who was the subject of the rumor and ask him or her yourself.

• Criticizing any behavior or action can be constructive if it is done face to face. Ask someone you trust to help you come up with the best way to say it, but always address the source directly and in the most appropriate way possible.

• To help achieve integrity, it’s a good idea to be surrounded by people who can help you stick to your values. A simple example would a person who wants to exercise. If you don’t find people to accompany you, the chances are you won’t keep it up.

• To achieve this, associate with people who have the same ideals as you without idolizing them. This will make it easier for all of you to stick to the plan. Don’t be afraid to engage in meaningful conversations to help you clarify these issues.

• And, finally, try to read novels, articles or essays to give you ideas or examples of upright behavior and to help you consider the hierarchy of values. Set a goal of one book a month, for example. Ask your mentor and others who like reading if they can recommend any books.

• The Moral Bucket List, David Brooks.

Note: This article deals with what characterizes people who leave a lasting impression on personal relationships and, therefore, what steps you should take to change your priorities for the better.

• Los valores, un gran activo en la empresa familiar (Values: A Major Asset in Family-Owned Businesses), Josep Tàpies and Núria Vilanova, IESE Insight.

• El amargo sabor del chisme (The Bitter Taste of Gossip), Ximena Sanz de Santamaría

Note: This explains the effects of gossiping and spreading rumors on relationships and your inner self.

• Corregir sin ofender (Correcting without Offending), José María Rodríguez Porras, IESE.

• ¿Conque eres responsable? 11 preguntas que pondrán a prueba tu integridad (Are You Unscrupulous? 11 Questions to Find Out), María José Evia H.

Note: The author translates these questions from English about what our behavior would be like in certain situations to make us reflect on the coherence of our behavior.

• Sorry, a document about why saying sorry is key to personal growth.

• The Flower of Honesty. A story.

• The Emperor’s New Clothes, Hans Christian Andersen. A story.

• First Why and Then Trust, Simon Sinek on TEDxMaastricht

Note: This talk reveals the reasons why a gap (“split”) can open up between a company’s motivations and values, and presents solutions and ways to avoid it. Examples from the business world can be extrapolated to personal relationships, the university setting and many other situations

• The Great Dictator (scene), Charlie Chaplin.

• The Happiness Trap: Values vs. Goals, Russ Harris

Note: This short video explains the importance of living in accordance with your innermost values, rather than living a life focused on the goals we set for ourselves.

• Honestidad (Honesty), Mario Velasco

• The Newsroom (scene from 1x03), about the importance of saying sorry.

Note: This series features a group of reporters who run a news program and have set out to move away from the status quo of the US media to do the work of real reporters. In this video, the lead character explains to the audience the decision they have made to be a responsible team that protects the truth.

• How to Spot a Liar, Pamela Meyer

Note: A talk that explains the attitudes and actions of people who lie, both intentionally and unintentionally. It serves to reflect on people’s behavior in situations where their authenticity and honesty are put to the test.

• Success Will Come and Go, But Integrity Is Forever, Forbes

Note: This breaks with the concept of “the end justifies the means” and explains how the gratification of obtaining power quickly and dishonestly is short lived.

• The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan

Note: In this film, two characters, Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent, face a threat from the Joker, the symbol of crime and corruption. It is interesting to see how their principles are put to the test by each of the villain’s atrocities and how integrity ends up prevailing or succumbing to corruption.

• The Emperor’s Club, Michael Hoffman

Note: Classics teacher Hundert is a newcomer to the school, where he will have to deal with the egos of the students who board there. Sedgewick Bell is the student who causes him the most problems. As the film progresses, the characters decide to act according to the falsehood (by creating it or covering it up) or to be led by the truth.

• Good Night, and Good Luck, George Clooney

Note: With an all-star cast and a script based on historical events, this film is set against the backdrop of the accusations and persecutions of alleged communists by Senator Joseph McCarthy, while CBS attempts to provide the truth, thereby challenging the powers that be. However, there are secrets within CBS that must be revealed so that the team can face the truth.

• Core Values Test (in English)

Note: This website, which was developed by two MIT professors, asks you to choose between several principles until you obtain the 10 that are most important to you. Things then get more complicated when you have to arrange these to identify the top three and their order.

• MBA Exercise: Life Compass

Note: This simple test, which combines numerical and written assessments, allows you to obtain a quick, accurate analysis of your key values.