Social Responsibility

Self Understanding & Personal Integrity

(self-reflective, responsible)

Socially responsible leaders have achieved a sense of self-authorship or personal agency. They critically assess and actively discern how their personal gifts, talents, resources, and abilities might best contribute to the broader human community. They articulate and live with a sense of authenticity, purpose, and ethical integrity. They maintain an appreciation for the transcendent dimension of human life, and seek ongoing personal and spiritual development and growth. They understand their personal values within the context of deeper cultural, historical, and philosophical/theological roots.

  • Am I honest with myself and others?
  • Do I have a good sense of who I am and of my personal strengths and weaknesses?
  • Do I seek to share my gifts and talents freely with others?
  • Do I willingly accept the feedback of others?
  • Do I make the time and space in my life to listen to how or where I am being called or led?
  • Am I in the habit of reflecting on my day to day life and choices?

Taking Seriously the Perspectives of Others

(caring, compassionate)
Socially responsible leaders engage and listen compassionately to alternative and diverse perspectives and people. Rooted in the spirit of the Vincentian tradition, they have a particularly keen recognition and appreciation for the sacred dignity of each human person, especially those who are poor or marginalized. They demonstrate the ability to work in a team or a community of people and to interact and communicate effectively with diverse others in a variety of social situations. They effectively cross the boundaries of religion, race/ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic class through dialogue and relationship.
  • Do I seek to listen to diverse perspectives and opinions?
  • Can I dialogue respectfully with those that disagree with me?
  • Do I recognize the sacred dignity of ALL others?
  •  Do I remember those who are poor or marginalized in my choices, actions, and opinions?
  • Do I work well with others in a team or community?
  • Do I interact with and communicate well with others, regardless of the situation and how I’m feeling?

Contributing to a Larger Community

(systematically engaged, involved)

Socially responsible leaders articulate, actively reflect upon, and live a commitment in their life and work to contribute to a community beyond themselves – locally, nationally and/or globally. Their sense of purpose, mission, and vocation extends to consider the broader social and environmental implications of their decisions and actions. They actively participate in civic and political processes and demonstrate an ability to think systemically about social problems and opportunities in light of some normative understanding of the just society.

  • Can I describe to others my sense of commitment to the broader human community and world?
  • Have I gained a stronger sense of purpose, mission, or vocation for my life in relation to the broader human community and world?
  • Do I consider the broader social and environmental implications of my decisions and actions?
  • Do I actively participate in civic and political processes?
  • Do I strive to look at and understand the broader systems at play in different social problems and opportunities?
  • Have I come to a clear vision about what I believe to be a truly just society?

Knowledge and Intellectual Competence

(critical-thinking, knowledgeable)
Socially responsible leaders have the ability to think critically. They actively seek historical and contextual knoledge relevant to concrete solutions they experience or confront. They show the ability to apply knowledge from their expertise or discipline of study to their particular life experiences and social situations in fruitful ways and in dialogue with other perspectives and disciplines.
  • Do I have the ability and willingness to think critically about the situations I face?
  • Do I seek broader knowledge about the concrete situations that I experience or confront?
  • Do I have the habit of applying knowledge from my personal experiences and my studies to my particular life experiences and social situations?
  • Do I routinely consider a variety of perspectives and possibilities to the situations and choices I face?
  • Do I seek to integrate and synthesize knowledge from a broad range of disciplines or sources?
  • Do I understand see the deeper roots and origins of my personal values?

Striving for Excellence

(long-term commitments, open to change and growth)
Socially responsible leaders sustain long-term commitments worthy of their attention over a lifetime or career. They consistently strive for self-improvement and higher standards, and through their actions and words they effectively inspire others to do the same. They exercise ethical decision-making and leadership by developing creative and innovative responses to both emerging and persistent human and societal questions. They are lifelong learners who pursue and work for an ever-renewed vision of the common good.
  • Have I begun to make long-term commitments that I consider worthy of my attention over a lifetime and career?
  • Do I strive constantly for self-improvement and higher standards?
  • Can I inspire others through my actions and words?
  • Do I exerfcise ethical decision-making and leadership?
  • Do I seek effective and creative responses to the challenges I face?
  • Am I a lifelong learner?