“If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realize that you have compromised your integrity. If you need a witness, be your own.”
Epictetus
It is easy to find yourself looking for outside approval. Looking for approval from your “Friends” and “Followers” on social media, from your boss, from peers or the audience to whom you are
speaking.
The problem with looking for outside approval is the temptation to make compromises to get that approval. Those compromises might mean doing or saying what is popular instead of taking a stand for what is right. It might mean failing to speak up on an important topic at a meeting and expressing concerns with the plan of
action proposed by the boss. It might mean ignoring inappropriate behavior or comments.
In the Dare to Be Great leadership workshop I talk about Brene Brown’s three elements of
Integrity:
- Choosing Courage over Comfort.
- Choosing What’s Right over What’s Fun, Fast or Easy
- Practicing Your Values, not just Preaching Your Values.
Prior to this definition we discuss the definitions of Bravery and Courage from Jack Colwell and Charles (Chip) Huth:
- Bravery is to act for what is right, at risk to yourself, when members of your social group agree with the act.
- Courage is to act for what is right, at risk to yourself, when members of your social group do not agree with the act.
With this definition of Courage the risk is rarely a physical risk. It is a risk that people will be upset with you, talk about you behind your back, label you or blacklist you.
In order to practice your values, you must be clear on your values. These are both your personal Core Values as well as the Core Values of your organization. Values are guiding principles and Core Values are the guiding principles at the heart of the person or organization. Your personal Core Values should align with those of
the organization where you work.
Understanding the definition of Courage and the three elements of Integrity are part of understanding and applying the two Guiding Questions in the Dare to Be
Great philosophy:
- What’s Important Now?
- What’s the right thing to do?
What’s Important Now? Use the two questions as a guide and be your own witness.
Note: Go to www.daretobegreatleadership.com to check out the weekly blog post and use the code WINSubscriber to get 10% off the Dare to Be Great: Strategies for Creating a
Culture of Leadership online workshop.
Take care.
Brian Willis
www.lifesmostpowerfulquestion.com
www.winningmindtraining.com
Maximizing human potential through Life's Most Powerful Question - What's Important Now?
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