Character and Leadership Vocab - "Heart"

amiability

a friendly and pleasant attitude

benevolence

good-will toward all

compassion

caring response to the misfortunes of others

confidence

self-assurance arising from a sense of certainty about the rightness of one's conduct

continence

self-restraint

courage

determination in the face of pain, risk, grief, fear, defeat, or even death

courtesy

polite behavior toward others

deference

yielding to the skills, judgment, or authority of another person

dependability

trustworthiness; reliability

diligence

careful and persistent effort

discipline

self-control; self-denial; deferring gratification

empathy

feeling the experiences of another as though they were one's own

enthusiasm

passionate eagerness in any pursuit

faith

trust or confidence

fidelity

loyal and faithful support

flexibility

the ability to adapt to change

forgiveness

pardon of injuries that releases resentment and bitterness; letting go of a grudge

fortitude

the strength to bear misfortune calmly and patiently

generosity

the act of giving more than is necessary or expected

grace

unmerited forgiveness and favor

gratitude

appreciation for what we have been given, especially that we did not deserve or create

grit

resolve in the face of difficulty; firmness of character; indomitable spirit

honesty

telling the truth and dealing fairly with all

honor

holding oneself to the highest code of conduct; contributing to the wellbeing of the community, and thereby deserving respect

integrity

wholeness; moral and ethical consistency; showing the same face to everyone

intimacy

close familiarity or friendship

irony

an attitude that recognizes and accepts the incongruities, complexities, and paradoxes of life

justice

giving each his or her due; fair behavior or treatment

kindness

selfless help of others

magnanimity

greatness of spirit; extreme generosity

modesty

attitude of moderation or humility concerning one's abilities or strengths

openness

willingness to consider unfamiliar aspects of the world before making a final judgment

optimism

the ability to remain hopeful and resourceful in adversity as well as prosperity

patience

the ability to wait calmly

receptivity

acceptance of something or someone

resilience

the ability to "spring back" into shape after being crushed or pressured; the ability to recover quickly or easily from misfortune or shock; robustness; adaptability

respect

treating people or things as if they merit one's care

reverence

deep respect

self-awareness

knowledge of one's own personhood, including character, feelings, motives, desires, and place in the world

sincerity

meaning what one says

sophrosyne

condition in which a person's reason and drives are in balance, giving each its due and allowing neither to dominate

spirituality

concern with sacred dimensions of experience

vivacity

lively and animated participation

vulnerability

the absence of emotional barriers between the self and others; the endurance of risk for the possibility of love

wisdom

the power to judge rightly in the face of ambiguity (phronesis); seeing the world as it is, not how it seems to be (sophia)

wit

the ability to use one's reasoning ability quickly, cleverly, and effectively