Integrity

Integrity is one of the most important character traits we try to instill into our students at Innovative Martial Arts Academy. One could say it’s the cornerstone of what we are trying to build. As with all character education in our martial arts school, we start with defining it. Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. It means doing the RIGHT thing, even when no one is watching.

Acting with integrity isn’t always easy. 

Sometimes there’s a price to pay. It can cost you friends, your job, and sometimes even family. If you see a friend do something wrong, such as stealing, integrity would require you to first ask them to reverse what they’re doing. If asked about the situation, it would require that you not lie. You could see how this situation might all of a sudden make you unpopular.

Or, let’s say you’re working for a company, and your boss isn’t meeting a particular quota. He asks you to lie about statistics or metrics for his department. Having integrity could cost you your job in this situation.

What’s it worth to be able to like who you see in the mirror?

The cost of integrity could be high, but there’s also a FREEDOM that comes with it. You’ll never have to “keep your story straight”, because there is no story. If your department is under investigation for fraud, YOU NEVER have to worry over your actions, because you did nothing wrong. Having integrity means NEVER having to be ashamed of yourself or your actions.

We teach our students that wherever you go (inside the dojo or outside the dojo), you represent your martial arts school, your instructor, and your family. A warrior will always strive to be as good as their word in EVERY circumstance. It’s shameful this isn’t taught in schools anymore which is why Innovative Martial Arts Academy acts as a partner with parents to instill values you can be proud of and make the world a better place.