What is "Character First"?

Here is everything you might want to know about the Character Training Institute and the Character First! program. Please contact us if you have further questions.

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Overview

Character First! is more than a program—it is a leadership model that strengthens relationships, improves communication, and builds teamwork. The following steps explain how to put Character First! in your organization.

1. Leadership Training

Character First! begins with training the leaders in your organization so that everyone understands the importance of character and how to develop it.


Character Recognitions at
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2. Character Recognition

Public recognition of good character is essential to a culture of good character. Establish regular opportunities to praise individuals for specific character qualities.
  • Give public recognition during employee meetings or class time.
  • Offer spontaneous recognition during the day.
  • Get coaching from a Character First! consultant to help supervisors or teachers give confident, meaningful character recognitions in public

3. Teaching Resources

Developing character is a life-long process. Character First! provides a wide selection of character-based resources for the workplace, schools, and families.

4. Continuing Education

After 6 to 12 months of implementing Character First!, it is time to evaluate your approach and take it to the next level.

 

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How did Character First! begin?

Origin
In 1991, Kimray, Inc., an Oklahoma City-based manufacturing company, was experiencing work force challenges such as low productivity, illegal drug use, low morale, quality problems, high Worker's Compensation costs, absenteeism, disloyalty, employee theft, and discontentment.

Kimray tried many programs, and some produced temporary benefits, but nothing was permanent. The owners soon realized that many of their problems related to a lack of character.

Waking up to this need, Kimray began emphasizing personal character in the lives of their managers and employees.

In 1992, Tom Hill, President of Kimray, developed and piloted the Character First! program to help employees reach their full potential as individuals. Kimray restructured its hiring practices, employee recognition, and monthly company meetings to promote good character. Kimray's character emphasis became more than a program—it became a way of life.

Every month Kimray emphasized one of 49 character qualities using Character First! bulletins to provide definitions and give practical applications to the workplace. During monthly employee meetings, supervisors and managers would publicly recognize employees by praising them for their character instead of mere achievement or length of service. Kimray also provided ongoing training sessions for supervisors and managers on how to recognize and develop good character on a daily basis.

In less than two years, Kimray's Worker's Compensation costs decreased 80%, and they experience a 25% increase in profits, even though the market was depressed. Today, Kimray's character-emphasis remains strong, and they continue to thrive with a dedicated work force, quality products, and satisfied customers.

Other companies heard about what Kimray was doing and requested information. Because of the growing interest in character development and the number of requests for help, Kimray established the Character Training Institute in Oklahoma City to continue developing Character First! materials and training seminars.

Expansion
In 1996, police and school officials from Oklahoma City invited the Character Training Institute to develop a character-building curriculum for their local elementary schools. After piloting the concept in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and California, the Character First! Education program was released to the public and is currently used throughout the United States and around the world.

In 1998, the Character Training Institute took another major step. Mayor Tom Ed McHugh of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, led community leaders in a city-wide effort to turn Baton Rouge into "A City of Character…A City that Cares." Soon other communities started their own character initiatives, and the International Association of Character Cities (IACC) was formed to support government and community representatives in this effort. IACC is now one branch of the Character Training Institute.

The Character Training Institute continues to develop new resources, such as the Police Dynamics Seminar with Sheriff Ray Nash of South Carolina, a character-based TESOL course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and character-based seminars for families, teachers, business managers, correctional facilities, and government agencies.

In 1999, the Character Training Institute received 501(c)3 status from the US Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit, tax exempt organization with a mission to promote character education through materials, seminars, training courses, and other appropriate means. The name Character First! is a registered trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

 

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What is the mission of the Character Training Institute?

The mission of the Character Training Institute is:

"To promote true success in businesses, schools, families, and communities by encouraging good character."

 

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Who funds and operates the Character Training Institute?

The Character Training Institute is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Income consists of material sales, seminar registrations, and contributions from people or organizations who want to encourage character around the world. Contributions are tax-deductible and may be designated for specific projects or for general use.

The Character Training Institute is led by a board of directors: Tom Hill, chairman; Larry McAtee, member; Larry Rhoads, member; Kent Fahrenbruck, secretary treasurer.

Operations are conducted by Tom Hill, executive director, and a staff of approximately 20 full and part-time employees.

 

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Where is Character First! being used?

Portions of the Character First! curriculum are currently published in eleven languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Mongolian, Korean, Chinese traditional, Chinese simplified, Indonesian, and Telegu (India).

To our knowledge, Character First! is used in the following countries and provinces.

Australia
Brazil
Canada (including Quebéc)
China (mainland)
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Macau
Malaysia
Mexico
Mongolia
Paraguay
Philippines
Romania
Singapore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Trinidad
Turkey
United States

Please let us know if we are missing any locations!

 

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Why are there 49 Character Qualities?


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There are more than 49 possible character qualities. However, we think these 49 qualities represent a good start.

The 49 Character First! definitions focus on practical application. For example, the dictionary defines "gratefulness" as appreciation for benefits received. Character First! goes a step further and says, "Gratefulness is letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life." This definition points to practical ways individuals can demonstrate the quality.


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The 49 Character Qualities also help to define the Seven Leadership Perspectives. Knowing where you fit in this list of perspectives has helped many overcome common miscommunication and become better leaders.

A visionary sees the big picture, is committed to growth, looks beyond problems to their root causes, and develops solutions for success.

An idealist seeks excellence in thought, word, and deed; identifies problems as they arise; and speaks the truth boldly.

An organizer visualizes final results and directs resources for the successful completion of goals.

A provider is resourceful, prudent, and thrifty, constantly ensuring the best use of all available resources.

A server sees and meets others' practical needs, frees them to accomplish their goals, and invests time and energy in their success.

A teacher imparts wisdom, maturity, and skill to others; validates direction; and ensures accuracy and completeness.

A mediator is deeply loyal and compassionate, analyzing the benefits and problems of a given direction.

The original list of 49 Character Qualities was developed by Tom Hill's friend, Bill Gothard, of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). Bill Gothard began developing character-training materials in the 1970s through a series of books called Character Sketches. Bill Gothard gave permission to use and modify the words, definitions, and nature lessons to fit the Character First! program.

While the Character Training Institute and IBLP are separate organizations, they share a common goal of building good character in families and organizations. This common vision allows cooperation between IBLP and the Character Training Institute international projects such as Mongolia, Taiwan, and Romania.

 

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Is Character First! a religious program?

The Character Training Institute is an educational organization focusing on character. The Character First! curriculum teaches 49 character qualities in a non-sectarian manner useful for secular and religious institutions.

One person might study character in a religious setting while another person studies character in a secular setting. This does not mean that character is religious…it means that character is universal. Like the law of gravity, principles of good character apply to people from all backgrounds.

That said, Character First! uses a variety of examples to teach the character qualities, making the materials and concepts applicable to many settings. Those interested in using Character First! in a religious setting may visit our links to faith-based organizations to learn how others have adapted the program to their needs.

 

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What is the Character First! methodology?

Character First! is a language-based program that defines words and encourages participants to develop positive habits in every-day life.

Building character is different than learning a set of skills. Once a person learns to read, ride a bicycle, or operate a machine, these skills are hard to forget. Character, by contrast, is formed and reinforced every day in the decisions a person makes.

How can individuals and organizations build character on a day-to-day basis? Character First! follows a three-step approach to building character.

  1. Emphasize character by studying the meaning of each word, giving practical applications, and reminding yourself and others of the character qualities as often as possible.
  2. Require character by raising standards, leading by example, reminding others to follow the standards, and correcting poor character when necessary.
  3. Recognize character by looking for good in others, verbalizing your praise, and showing appreciation in creative ways.

A ten-minute discussion at the beginning of the week is sufficient to "learn" the meaning of a word. Place the majority of your attention on praising good character during the course of each day and integrating the concepts into daily practice. This helps create a culture of character within your organization, making it easier to trace challenges to character issues and apply lasting solutions.

There is some danger in teaching Character First! only in one setting. Individuals may perceive character as a subject only discussed during "character class"—whereas character should be emphasized in every area. The best way to learn character is to integrate it into everything you do.