From Ethical Reciprocity to Institutional Trust: An Autoethnographic Study on Integrity, Gratitude, and Systemic Responsibility

This autoethnographic study shows how family values, cultural heritage, and mentorship shaped the author’s understanding of ethical leadership. Lessons in integrity, gratitude, accountability, and responsibility formed a foundation for his work as a psychological coach, mediator, and entrepreneur. Observing opportunism at a Catholic school revealed how a lack of gratitude damages institutional trust. The study connects these experiences with theories of ethical leadership and social exchange, and offers insights for education, mentorship, and business ethics.