“If you take a stand, you will remain standing.” — An interesting turn of phrase from a former colleague’s dad, a retired senior naval officer. He was reacting to our shared discomfort about corporate policies that didn’t quite match up to our somewhat naive ethical standards. He was clearly referring to his days in the Services where questioning a superior’s orders could get one a court martial.In today’s business, it isn’t uncommon to compromise one’s morals to meet organizational goals. And we justify our actions by claiming that the world of business and its regulators are functioning in an environment that forces such actions. Our mind works a quick “cost-benefit” analysis to further justify the steps and we turn over to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
Occasionally a niggling doubt persists. We wonder if there was a different road leading to the same destination. We secretly admire colleagues who ostensibly live without compromising their positions, though not often agreeing with their positions.
Will Craig, founder of the Coach Training Alliance, says: “How often have we said to ourselves, “You know, I’m not crazy about so-and-so but, at least, I know where I stand with them.” The tough part of taking a stand is we please some and annoy several others. Often, we appear bland and uninteresting as a result of our focus on doing and stating the “right thing”.
Ask newspaper editors, publishers or talk show hosts and they’ll harp on how they love people with “a point of view”. Because, a point of view is what captures our fascination?It sells. In short, that?s what we want from the people in our lives.
There is more than one way to take a stand:
- Stand up for what you believe in
- Stand down from a position where you feel compromised.
- Stand back from a situation that doesn’t feel right.
We may recall several instances where sporting achievers have refused to participate in tournaments or visit countries that do not conform to their ethical or political values. They do so, well aware that taking a stand comes with an expensive price tag.
How often have you faced such situations? Do write in with your comments to kk@intradconsult.com
