“The truth of your character is expressed through the choice of your actions.” Dr. Steve Maraboli
When I was a teenager, learning to read a map was an imperative for taking road trips. I remember unfolding the map, laying it down on a table and locating north, my current position and my destination. Then I could trace the best driving route.
My mom shared a helpful hint. The odd numbered freeways travel north and south. The even numbers head east and west. This tidbit would be a reassuring safety net as I ventured out to visit friends and families in different states.
Living my best life required clear direction in the same way that I needed a map to guide my travels on the road. My life’s journey connects one leadership experience to another. Each a building block for self-improvement and character development.
Friends, family, pastors, leaders, mentors and coaches have contributed to the morals, values and philosophies that anchor my thoughts and actions. They have all helped me to create my moral compass and define my true north.
“True North is your orienting point – your fixed point in a spinning world – that helps you stay on track as a leader. It is derived from your most deeply held beliefs, values, and the principles you lead by. It is your internal compass, unique to you, representing who you are at your deepest level.” ~ Bill George.
My social media feeds are flooding with emotional outcries due to the tragic events of the week. Add to that the perpetual news coverage of experts and activists with a point of view on racism and hate. I am reminded that everyone carries their own compass. Their own barometer of values that define their right and their wrong. My true north is not necessarily your true north.
I am also reminded that the leader sets the tone for the team, the organization, and in this case … the nation. The stakes of destruction are high for an organization when the leader has a shabby moral compass.
People look inside when they cannot find the answer or inspiration outside. They find their voice and value. They speak up across the airwaves about their own, unique moral rights and wrongs. Like-minded people of a higher moral compass ban together and demand justice and equality for all. They reject the evil forces of the world.
What exactly is the construct of a moral compass for a leader? I am sharing 12 quotes below that I have relied upon. What would you add to this list?
- “To add value to others, one must first value others.” – John Maxwell
- “A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear.” – Herb Kelleher
- “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.” – Andrew Carnegie
- “He who has great power should use it lightly.” – Seneca
- “What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” – Stephen Covey
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
- “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” – Jim Rohn
- “You can do things I cannot do. I can do things you cannot do. Together, we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa
- “Character is built by striving to be kind not famous.” – Brendon Burchard
- “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself: less.” – C.S. Lewis
- “Don’t look down on anyone, unless you’re helping them up.” – Jesse Jackson
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
