I was recently asked how my professional work demonstrates honesty, integrity, and professional strengths in instructional design. At first, I was unsure how to answer the question beyond saying I must always be truthful and transparent. Then I realized these are traits someone should have personally and not just professionally. And often, actions need to match words. I am one way, but do I have those traits if my efforts don't match what I am saying? So how does someone like me, an instructional designer, demonstrate these traits on the job?
To answer this, I believe it takes a combination of behaviors and traits to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professional strength in instructional design. The first behavior or trait is honesty which comes from being truthful and transparent in all communications with stakeholders. If a designer doesn't know something, they should admit it and work to find the information needed. If a project deadline is at risk, let stakeholders know as soon as possible and work with them to devise a solution. Being upfront and honest builds trust with clients and team members, leading to better collaboration and, ultimately, better student learning outcomes.
In the context of instructional design, the next trait is integrity. Demonstrating this means adhering to a set of ethical standards. This includes treating everyone involved in the instructional design process respectfully and fairly. Doing so builds stakeholder trust and establishes me as a reliable and honest partner for their project. Upholding ethical standards and honoring commitments will also demonstrate professionalism (Osguthorpe et al., 2018).
Striving for professionalism means being punctual, reliable, and organized and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders throughout the design process (Macomber, 2019). This includes adhering to deadlines, staying on top of project tasks, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders. Another aspect of professionalism is continuously seeking professional development opportunities, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and research in the field, and using evidence-based design.
You can establish a strong reputation as a trusted and effective instructional designer by prioritizing honesty, integrity, and professional strengths in your work. This will ultimately help learners achieve their learning goals. The result will be positive word-of-mouth recommendations and long-term partnerships.
Sources
Macomber, A. (2019). How Important is Integrity in the Workplace? Journal of Continuing Education Topics & Issues, 21(1), 18-20.
Osguthorpe, R. T., Osguthorpe, R., Jacob, W. J., & Davies, R. S. (2018). The Moral Dimensions of Instructional Design. In R. E. West (Ed.), Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology. EdTech Books.
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