On Loving the Unlovable

Admit it. There are some people you find very hard to like – much less love. You probably try to avoid being around them. Now let me say this: “That’s just wrong.” Is someone any less of a person because she was born into a poor family? Because he has a chemical imbalance in his brain? Because she made some bad choices last year, or even last week?

The Golden Rule says, treat others as you would like to be treated. I don’t want to be marginalized, shunned, excluded. I want to be seen as a person, not a circumstance.

Repeat this: Starting with me, all people will be respected for who they are, not what they do.

On Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership is a popular concept these days. What does it really mean? It means putting the needs of others before my own. This is not entirely unselfish. It’s a fact of human nature that unless and until others’ needs are met, they cannot work together to meet the needs of the organization. Maslow taught that people’s needs have to be met at basic levels before they can be effective.

How does this apply to you? You don’t have to be a manager or an elected official to be a servant leader. Repeat this: Starting with me, effective leadership will be in meeting the needs of others. I will put the needs of others before my own.

On Determining Truth

Okay, let’s get a little philosophical. When it comes to morality, is there really a “right” and a “wrong?” In our democratic society, we tend to decide everything by majority rule. Are there certain things that ought not be put to a vote? Are there moral absolutes?

These are tough questions. But you must wrestle with the answers. Every time you make a decision, you are basing it on some moral belief. Have you truly examined that belief? I believe there are absolute truths and that belief colors my every action.

Repeat this: Starting with me, the basis for moral decisions will not be taken lightly. I will clearly define my beliefs and behave accordingly.

On Situational Ethics

The term “situational ethics” suggests that the morality of an act is defined by the situation. One’s actions are either right or wrong depending on the circumstances. This is a philosophical issue way bigger than we can deal with here, but from a practical viewpoint, let me ask you: Are you comfortable with others making decisions involving you on what they think is right in that time and place? Decisions about your money? Your kids? Your faith? Your future? Think about it. It’s a constantly moving target.

Repeat this: Starting with me, the moral base for decisions must be clearly stated. I will not allow people to make decisions based on their perceptions of a situation.

On Settling for Second Best

Is settling for second best ever enough? Just the very word “settling” suggests a surrender of some sort. And “second best?” Well, you decide. In practical sense, I accept that I will not always achieve the “best” outcome, but I resolve never to settle for second best. To do so means I will always be selling someone short, I will not be delivering what I am truly capable of, I will always be falling short of my implied or explicit promise to others.

Repeat this: Starting with me, second best will never be enough. I will always keep working to achieve the best.

On Inaction – Ignoring Ethical Issues

“The land of the free and the home of the brave.” It’s no accident that Francis Scott Key linked those two thoughts. Living in freedom requires bravery. There are always those who would attack freedom – from within as well as without. Perhaps one of the most dangerous, insidious attacks on freedom is that of compromising the moral principles that undergird freedom. Bravery requires us to speak up. Ignoring ethical issues in our society contributes to the erosion of freedom.

Repeat this: Starting with me, ethics will be worth defending. I will not keep silent when I see moral principles challenged.