“Absolutely not,” Mr. Josephson contends. “The worst thing to do is to hide because of an embarrassing incident.” Situations such as this one — and there have been others — merit an energized approach to CC! and a renewed vigor in addressing issues of ethics and values when things don’t go according to plan. This is the essence of the framework. To expect everybody to practice what they preach is unrealistic.

“We are all vulnerable to our basest instincts, and when we do not overcome these urges bad things happen not only to us but to lots of people,” Mr. Josephson says. Talking openly about a given tragedy of moral frailty teaches valuable, positive lessons from negative events. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater is not a solution.

Use the Six Pillars as a compass and recognize that not everyone should be judged by the actions of a few. Make sure not to vilify those involved, but to address the issue in a calm and judicious manner, following the principles of due process. Whether it is a person of high position, a leader in the CC! program, or a student who has veered off course, the situation should not become a breeding ground for cynicism about the core values of the Six Pillars.

When an organization, public or private, takes on the mantle of emphasizing values, good character, and an ethical environment, any anomaly becomes glaringly incongruent. People within the organization become increasingly sensitive to ethical misconduct, and rightly so, but they should avoid trying to cover up any embarrassment and deal with the upset in a way which asks “Given what has happened in this situation, is the message of CC! right or wrong?”

No one is immune from ethical lapses, and walking the straight and narrow can be even more difficult for them as they are often held to a higher standard than others. Once such an incident occurs, the knee-jerk reaction might be to hide through embarrassment or shame, but the best way to approach it is to heighten character-development activities as soon as possible.

In the case of the principal, the character assembly is not about him (although it will be on everyone’s mind) but the importance of good character and good judgment and the strength to resist temptations that pull us away from our moral North star. The unfortunate flaws of individuals in high places highlight the relevance and rightness of the message that character really does count.

Here are some tips that can help maintain the integrity of CC! when the integrity of its champions has been compromised:

• Understand that CC! implementation will attract greater scrutiny. Be prepared for that.
• Be willing to admit that ethical and moral mistakes have been made when they happen.
• Be rational about the situation. Don’t try to rationalize.
• Consider the long-term effects on the well-being of all persons likely to be affected by decisions made.
• Don’t let the moral misdemeanor become a run away rumor train.
• Step-up the CC! program. Involve everyone in planning and implementation activities.
• Be sensitive to the use of “awareness” products. Turn the focus to more profound aspects of the program.
• Focus on student role models and recognize that high-level administrators probably exert less influence on them than teachers, coaches and counselors.

This article is reprinted from the CHARACTER COUNTS! Chronicle. Subscribe to this free monthly newsletter here.