Deep Dives

Demonstrating Integrity

In human services, integrity is our greatest asset—the essential foundation for our work. It goes far beyond avoiding misconduct: it’s the intentional, dynamic practice of aligning your actions with your principles, especially in difficult moments. Ultimately, it’s about cultivating a culture where people feel safe, respected, and empowered to contribute.
Jump to Activities

Going Further With Intention

This Deep Dive draws from one of the Areas of Competence in the Career Development Manager/Leader Competency Framework. Through reflection, real-world analysis, and practical activities, you’ll explore how this part of the framework shapes your leadership practice.

The Challenge Ahead

In human services, integrity is our greatest asset—it is the essential foundation for our work. Leaders in this vital sector are entrusted with people’s well-being and confidential data, while consistently balancing stakeholder needs with authentic, person-centered support for clients.

For this resource, integrity goes far beyond simply avoiding misconduct. It’s the intentional, dynamic practice of aligning your actions with your principles, especially in difficult moments. Ultimately, it’s about cultivating a culture where people feel safe, respected, and empowered to contribute.

The Leader’s Role in Demonstrating Integrity

Your role is to lead with clarity, humility, and courage.

  • Reflecting on your own values, habits, and impact
  • Managing stress and time in ways that support ethical decision-making
  • Creating transparent, inclusive systems and expectations
  • Addressing breaches with fairness and accountability
  • Modeling the behaviours you want to see in others

Deep Dive Activities

Bridge the gap between theory and practice with these strategic tools.

Exercise 1: Your Leadership Vision Statement

Purpose

A leadership personal mission statement is a powerful tool for grounding your values, guiding your decisions, and communicating your purpose. It can help focus you when things feel out of control, and give direction when conditions are uncertain.

Step 1: Reflect and Align

Imagine you’re having your best day as a leader. In that mindset, reflect on the following questions:

  • What values do I want to embody consistently?
  • What kind of impact do I want to have on others?
  • What behaviours or habits define my leadership?
  • What legacy or ripple effect do I hope to leave?
  • Who am I ultimately serving—and how?

Craft your responses into a paragraph, written in present tense, that is specific, compelling, and aspirational. Don’t worry about being brief—make it clear. You can use this structure to guide you:

I lead with [core values or guiding principles] to [primary purpose or impact you aim to create], by [key behaviours, commitments, or leadership practices]. I strive to [aspirational goal or legacy], so that [who benefits and how].

Worksheet 1: Leadership Vision

Your Vision Statement

Worksheet 1: Leadership Vision (Sample)

Vision Statement (Sample)

Exercise 2: Integrity in Practice

Purpose

To help leaders and teams proactively identify ethical risks in their work environment and collaboratively develop strategies to mitigate them. This exercise supports a culture of integrity, transparency, and shared accountability. 

Step 1: Identify risk to integrity and ethics 

Engage your team in discussion in which you identify the many risks to  integrity and ethics that may face your organization. This is a useful exercise  to get all team members into a shared mindset, and define the values and  conduct of the organization in these scenarios the team will very likely face.  Many of the risks you face in integrity and ethics involve a dilemma between  two competing demands. Examples include:  

  • Confidentiality: balancing the need to report with the need to protect  client confidentiality 
  • Client autonomy: the right of clients to have agency in their lives  balanced against the need to keep clients safe 
  • Inclusion and equity: advocating for underrepresented clients while  respecting their agency  

It is important to create ongoing reflection and discussion about integrity,  ensuring you and your team are bringing forward the challenges and issues  you do or may face in your work and creating a safe space to create shared  understanding and define the shared behaviours that embody your  commitment to your values.

Preparation

  • Schedule 45–60 minutes for the discussion. 
  • Share the purpose of the activity in advance to create psychological  safety. 
  • Print or display the Risk and Ethics Scan worksheet. 
  • Consider inviting a neutral facilitator if the team is navigating  sensitive issues

How to Use It

Step-by-Step 

  1. Frame the Conversation Begin by reminding the team that ethical risks are often unintentional and systemic. This is not about blame—it’s about strengthening practices and protecting trust. 
  2. Review Key Areas Together Walk through the categories on the worksheet (e.g., resource use, confidentiality, conflict of interest). Invite the team to define what each area means in your context. 
  3. Identify Risks Collaboratively Ask team members to share examples of potential or observed risks. Use guiding questions like: 
    • “Where might we be vulnerable to ethical missteps?”
    • “What practices could be misunderstood or misused?”
    • “Where do we need clearer boundaries or systems?” 
  4. Assess Impact and Prioritize For each risk identified, discuss its potential impact on clients, staff, or the organization. Prioritize areas that require immediate attention or pose high reputational or relational risk. 
  5. Develop Mitigation Strategies Brainstorm practical steps to reduce or eliminate each risk. Encourage shared ownership and realistic action planning. 
  6. Document and Follow Up Capture key insights and strategies. Assign follow-up actions and revisit progress in future team meetings.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Normalize the idea that ethical leadership is a practice, not perfection
  • Use inclusive language and invite diverse perspectives
  • Reinforce confidentiality and respect throughout the discussion
  • Celebrate proactive thinking and team accountability

Worksheet 2: Risk and Ethics Scan

Purpose: Surface potential ethical risks and plan to mitigate.

Area
Risk
Impact
Mitigation Strategy
Area
Risk
Impact
Mitigation Strategy
Area
Risk
Impact
Mitigation Strategy
Area
Risk
Impact
Mitigation Strategy
Area
Risk
Impact
Mitigation Strategy

Worksheet 2: Risk and Ethics Scan (Sample)

Area
Resource use
Risk
Unclear asset tracking
Impact
Misuse or inefficiency
Mitigation Strategy
Implement tracking system, train staff
Area
Confidentiality
Risk
Shared login credentials
Impact
Breach of client trust
Mitigation Strategy
Individual logins, staff training
Area
Conflict of interest
Risk
Staff working with family members
Impact
Perceived bias
Mitigation Strategy
Disclosure policy, reassignment protocol

Exercise 3: Integrity Radar Chart

Purpose

This exercise helps leaders and teams reflect on how integrity shows up in daily practice by assessing key dimensions such as self-awareness, transparency, and ethical culture. It supports honest dialogue, shared insight, and intentional growth.

Preparation

  • Schedule 30–45 minutes for the session
  • Share the purpose in advance to create psychological safety
  • Provide each participant with a copy of the Integrity Radar worksheet
  • Consider completing the radar individually first, then discussing as a group

How to Use It

Step-by-Step  

  1. Introduce the Purpose Begin by framing the exercise as a tool for  reflection and growth—not evaluation. Emphasize that integrity is a  practice, and this is a chance to explore how it’s supported (or  strained) in your current environment. 
  2. Review the Dimensions Walk through each radar dimension  together:
    • Self-awareness
    • Time and stress management
    • Transparency in decision-making
    • Conflict of interest awareness
    • Confidentiality practices
    • Ethical culture-building 

Clarify what each means in your context and invite examples. 

  1. Complete the Radar 
    • Invite participants to rate each dimension from 1 (low) to 5  (high), based on their current experience. Encourage honesty  and curiosity. 
  2. Reflect and Discuss Use guiding questions to spark conversation: ○ “Which areas feel strongest for us right now?”
    • “Where do we see gaps or inconsistencies?”
    • “What patterns are emerging across the team?”
    • “What’s one area we’d like to strengthen together?” 
  3. Identify Actions As a group, choose 1–2 dimensions to focus on.  Brainstorm small, specific actions that could improve integrity in  those areas. 
  4. Close with Commitment Invite each person to name one personal  intention or leadership behaviour they’ll carry forward. Consider  revisiting the radar in 3–6 months.

Pro Tips

  • Normalize imperfection—this is about learning, not judgment
  • Encourage storytelling and lived examples
  • Use a visual radar chart if helpful for group synthesis
  • Celebrate areas of strength and name what’s working well

Worksheet 3: Integrity Radar Chart

Purpose: Visualize strengths and gaps across key dimensions.

Dimension
Self-awareness
Score (1-5)
Notes
Dimension
Time and stress management
Score (1-5)
Notes
Dimension
Transparency in decision-making
Score (1-5)
Notes
Dimension
Conflict of interest awareness
Score (1-5)
Notes
Dimension
Confidentiality practices
Score (1-5)
Notes
Dimension
Ethical culture-building
Score (1-5)
Notes

Reflection: What strengths do you see? What gaps? What next steps can you take to improve the outcomes?

Worksheet 3: Integrity Radar Chart (Sample)

Dimension
Self-awareness
Score (1-5)
4
Notes
Regular reflection, but feedback loop could improve
Dimension
Time and stress management
Score (1-5)
2
Notes
Often reactive, impacts clarity
Dimension
Transparency in decision-making
Score (1-5)
3
Notes
Decisions explained, but not always early enough
Dimension
Conflict of interest awareness
Score (1-5)
5
Notes
Clear boundaries and communication
Dimension
Confidentiality practices
Score (1-5)
4
Notes
Strong practices, room to train others
Dimension
Ethical culture-building
Score (1-5)
3
Notes
Values are clear, but not consistently reinforced

Exercise 4: Communicate Expectations and Culture

Purpose

This exercise helps leaders and teams clarify, reinforce, and align around the values, expectations, and conduct that shape a respectful, inclusive, and ethical workplace. It supports transparency, consistency, and shared ownership of organizational culture.

Preparation

  • Schedule 45–60 minutes for the session
  • Share the purpose in advance to create psychological safety
  • Provide the Values and Conduct Communication Plan worksheet
  • Bring copies of your organization’s code of conduct, mission statement, or values if available

How to Use It

Step-by-Step  

  1. Frame the Conversation Begin by emphasizing that workplace  culture is shaped by what we say, what we do, and what we reinforce.  This exercise is about making expectations visible and actionable— not just assumed. 
  2. Review Key Audiences Walk through the worksheet’s audience  categories (e.g., new staff, full team, managers). Invite the group to  identify additional audiences relevant to your context (e.g., volunteers,  clients, external partners). 
  3. Clarify Messages and Expectations For each audience, discuss:
    • What values or expectations need to be communicated?
    • What behaviours or decisions do we want to reinforce?
    • What misunderstandings or gaps have we seen? 
  4. Choose Communication Formats Brainstorm effective ways to  deliver each message (e.g., orientation sessions, posters, team  meetings, training, email, storytelling). Consider accessibility, tone,  and frequency. 
  5. Plan Timing and Follow-Up Decide when and how often each  message should be shared. Identify follow-up strategies to reinforce the message (e.g., supervisor check-ins, anonymous feedback, case study discussions). 
  6. Document and Assign Ownership Capture the communication plan and assign roles for implementation. Consider creating a shared calendar or dashboard to track messaging efforts.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Use real examples to illustrate values in action
  • Invite input from across roles and identities
  • Reinforce that expectations apply to everyone—leaders included
  • Celebrate clarity and consistency as tools for trust-building

Worksheet 4: Values and Conduct Communication Plan

Purpose: Reinforce ethical expectations and build shared understanding.

Audience
Message
Format
Timing
Follow-up
Audience
Message
Format
Timing
Follow-up
Audience
Message
Format
Timing
Follow-up
Audience
Message
Format
Timing
Follow-up
Audience
Message
Format
Timing
Follow-up

Worksheet 4: Values and Conduct Communication Plan (Sample)

Audience
New staff
Message
Code of conduct overview
Format
Orientation session
Timing
First week
Follow-up
Supervisor check-in
Audience
Full team
Message
Respect and inclusion values
Format
Team meeting + poster
Timing
Quarterly
Follow-up
Anonymous feedback form
Audience
Managers
Message
Conflict of interest policy
Format
Email + discussion
Timing
Annual review
Follow-up
Case study discussion

Exercise 5: Personal Wellness Journal

Purpose

This exercise helps leaders monitor and nurture their own well-being across key dimensions—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, mental, and energetic. It supports self-awareness, sustainability, and integrity in leadership.

Preparation

  • Schedule 20–30 minutes for individual reflection
  • Create a quiet, reflective environment—consider soft music or journaling prompts

How to Use It

Step-by-Step  

  1. Leadership integrity starts with self-awareness and self-care. This journal is not about perfection—it’s about noticing patterns, honoring needs, and making intentional choices. 
  2. Review the Dimensions Walk through each wellness dimension:
    • Physical
    • Emotional 
    • Spiritual
    • Social
    • Mental Focus
    • Energy Level  

Clarify what each means to you. 

  1. Complete the Journal Rate each dimension from 1 (low) to 5 (high) based on your current experience. Add notes and set intentions for the coming week.
  2. Reflection
    • How does your wellness impact how you lead?
    • What patterns are you noticing?
    • What’s one small shift you’d like to make that you can sustain? 
  3. Set Personal Intentions Choose one wellness dimension to focus on. Write a simple, achievable intention (e.g., “Take a walk three times this week,” “Pause before responding when stressed”). 
  4. Wellness is a leadership practice. Invite participants to revisit the journal weekly or monthly and use it as a tool for reflection and recalibration.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Normalize fluctuations—wellness is dynamic
  • Celebrate small steps and personal insights
  • Consider pairing this with peer coaching or accountability check-ins

Worksheet 5: Personal Wellness Journal

Purpose: Support leaders in monitoring and nurturing their own well-being across key dimensions.

Dimension
Physical
Current State (1-5)
Notes
Intentions for the Week
Dimension
Emotional
Current State (1-5)
Notes
Intentions for the Week
Dimension
Spiritual
Current State (1-5)
Notes
Intentions for the Week
Dimension
Social
Current State (1-5)
Notes
Intentions for the Week
Dimension
Mental Focus
Current State (1-5)
Notes
Intentions for the Week
Dimension
Energy Level
Current State (1-5)
Notes
Intentions for the Week

Worksheet 5: Personal Wellness Journal (Sample)

Dimension
Physical
Current State (1-5)
3
Notes
Sleep disrupted, low energy
Intentions for the Week
Walk 3x/week, hydrate daily
Dimension
Emotional
Current State (1-5)
2
Notes
Feeling reactive, low patience
Intentions for the Week
Journal nightly, pause before responding
Dimension
Spiritual
Current State (1-5)
4
Notes
Feeling grounded through morning ritual
Intentions for the Week
Continue daily reflection
Dimension
Social
Current State (1-5)
3
Notes
Limited connection outside work
Intentions for the Week
Call a friend, plan lunch with colleague
Dimension
Mental Focus
Current State (1-5)
2
Notes
Scattered, hard to prioritize
Intentions for the Week
Use time blocks, reduce multitasking
Dimension
Energy Level
Current State (1-5)
3
Notes
Midday slump
Intentions for the Week
Adjust caffeine, take short breaks