A code of honor is a set of principles that guide one’s conduct and way of life. To live by a code of honor implies deeply held beliefs in an idea greater than oneself.
Purpose: Why Have a Code of Honor
A code is a set of ideals, an aspirational list of qualities and traits that you want to work toward achieving. It sets the standard of behavior. More than that writing such a document forces you to focus your values. It seems clear that such a code works better as an ideal that members will want to follow, rather than as an authoritarian document with exact punishments meted out for not measuring up. As you are defining who you are, you are giving members freedom to be proud of who they are. The examples below show that a code of honor can be a formal document or an informal set of ideals shared among a community.
Models for Code of Honor
Besa Code (Albania)
Besa is a pledge of honor, an Albanian concept, that means “to keep the promise” and “faith.” It is a deep part of the country’s heritage, its citizens’ sense of duty and national identity. Albanians really live the idea that if someone asks you for help, you provide it. Many examples of this abound with one another, and during war. During World War II Albania, a Muslim country, took great efforts to help Jews.
Besa proverbs
- “Before the house belongs to the owner, it first belongs to God and the guest.” (source: BBC story about Besa)
- “The honor of an Albanian can not be sold or bought in a bazaar.”
- “The Albanian’s honor is worth more than gold.” (source: Wikipedia)
Bushido (Japanese Samurai)
The Bushido Code, or Samurai code of honor, was a belief that warriors were noble and needed to be held to a higher standard of living. It was an informal code that nonetheless had and has great cultural power.
8 Virtues of Bushido
- benevolence (kindness)
- courage
- honor
- loyalty
- politeness
- rectitude (virtuous)
- sincerity
- self-control
Scientology
L. Ron Hubbard (1954), Introduction to Scientology Code of Honor
An ethical code cannot be enforced. Any effort to enforce the Code of Honor would bring it into the level of a moral code. It cannot be enforced simply because it is a way of life which can exist as a way of life only as long as it is not enforced. Any other use but self-determined use of the Code of Honor would, as any Scientologist could quickly see, produce a considerable deterioration in a person. Therefore its use is a luxury use, and which is done solely on self-determined action, providing one sees eye to eye with the Code of Honor.
U.S. Army Honor
Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.
U.S. Army definition of honor
Wells Fargo Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (Corporate code)
- We are trusted.
- We are transparent and candid.
- We act with honesty and integrity.
- We honor our legal obligations.
- We serve the greater good.
Tips For Creating Your Code of Honor
- Reflect on why you want to have a code of conduct and what purpose it will serve.
- Think about who will be using/following your guidelines.
- Think of your (own/relationship/team/business) weaknesses and how these could be addressed or simplified.
- Create the structure as simply as possible.
- Take advantage of the noble and adventure associations with a code of honor. If appropriate, add a sense of formality, ceremony and whimsy.