When people list the character traits they'd like demonstrated by their children, friends, civic and corporate leaders, honesty tops the list. People recognize that honesty is the foundation for most other virtues and the basis for trust. Honesty includes not lying, cheating or stealing. It includes being free of deceit and not even fooling yourself. It also implies intellectual honesty -- searching out the truth, even if it what you learn is unpleasant.

  7 Strategies for Teaching Honesty

1. Be honest. Keep your promises. Avoid "little white lies".
   
   
2. Acknowledge honesty in action. Catch people telling the truth, resisting the temptation to cheat, etc. This is one of the most effective ways to increase honest behavior. Try saying, "I appreciate your honesty when you ___(behavior)", or "Thanks for being honest when you _______". It's important to tell the specific behavior that demonstrated the virtue.
   
   
3. Set clear rules with logical consequences. Example: "We tell the truth in our family, even when we might get in trouble for breaking a rule. If we lie, the consequences will be doubled." Communicate your rules and consequences clearly in advance. Follow through calmly when mistakes are made.
   
   
4. Don't corner children into telling a lie. If you already know what happened, don't pretend otherwise. Say matter-of-factly, "I know you stole that candy from the store. Let's talk about what should happen next."
   
   
5. See mistakes as opportunities for teaching. Let the offender make amends and restore their dignity. Don't condemn or humiliate. Believe that they will do better with practice. Life will give them another chance to practice each day until they get it right. This encouragement builds good character from the inside.
   
   
6. When dishonesty happens, seek to understand the underlying reasons for misbehavior so that it can be prevented in the future. Read 24 Reasons Why Children "Misbehave"
   
   
7. Search out positive heroes. Find examples of honesty in fables, TV and real life. Point out the results of their actions, the results on others as well as themselves. Promote the benefits of being honest.Read more . . .