Your North Star

 

 

Do you have a “North Star”?  It defines that personal boundary of our ethical, moral and legal standards to which we will hold ourselves, and by which we will judge others.  For some it will be a formal and clear definition.  For others it will be a bit more nebulous.  But regardless of how you establish your borders you will consciously and even subconsciously know when your behavior or that of others has gone outside of your comfort zone. It is where you draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable conduct. 

Almost all of us have such a star.  It has been built from a variety of sources: our personal faith beliefs; our experiences; our hopes and dreams; the model of others. Especially when it has been thoughtfully considered, it becomes our touchstone. It is our truth in the storm of misinformation; in the halls of public opinion; and in the pit of social media. All the pressures of society that stand against our principles will seek to influence our thoughts and undermine our conduct.  

The reality is that standing for that which is noble, for that which is just and for that which is true is not easy.  When some propose ‘alternate facts’, those who have grounded themselves in truth can only shake their heads in disbelief.

 

Too often integrity is viewed as old-fashioned. Situational ethics are considered as justification when conduct does not align with the standards to which we aspire. Anonymous attacks assault us through cowards in social media too weak to engage in civil discussions. 

It begs the question ‘...why has the high road become the road less traveled...’ 

Leaders must be the champions of truth, the upholders of moral and ethical conduct, the ones who lead by force of character. This is why it is so critical to have a well-defined and tested North Star. In times when you are being challenged to compromise your behavior or to condone that shortcoming in others, you must have something to grasp which has been refined under fire. You must be able to draw strength from it without questioning its’ resilience. Your North Star gives you the ability to chart the road ahead regardless of the turbulence that you encounter. It is your rock and your anchor.

I encourage you to take time to define what you stand for, before it is challenged. Knowing where your boundaries are allows you to defend your principles with certainty and confidence.