Leadership requires courage. Your values are upheld by your courage. Courage is the filter that shows what we really value in our business and personal life.
- If honesty is one of your business values, but you’re only honest when it’s easy, is honesty really a business value?
- If generosity is one of your business values, but you’re only generous when it’s easy, is generosity really a business value?
- If excellence is one of your business values, but you’re only excellent when it’s convenient, is excellence really a business value?
- If free speech is one of your values, but you only allow speech that agrees with you or only speak up when you feel safe, is free speech really your value?
I challenge you to run through this exercise with your business and personal values. Then have your team do it.
If X is your value, but you’re only X when it’s easy, is X really your value?
Courage is not something you attain, but something you practice every day in your choices. How will you show up, how will you lead?