Honor and Duty

The responsibility bestowed on leaders should be bound by integrity.

The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David, 1784 (public domain - Wikipedia)

“Waste no more time in arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius, 161

Years ago, in one of my first professional jobs, I had a colleague who made an observation that has stayed with me to this day.

I don’t remember the exact situation that brought it about, but he said to me:

“You know what impresses me about you, Monty? I see so many people complaining about things, but you don’t sit around complaining. You take action.”

I’ve considered that remark over the years, and it’s at the core of my sense of integrity: if a person is aware that something wrong and has the power to make a change, I respect them for taking action rather than whining about the situation.

Leaders serve by virtue of the power that they’re given. And, as the phrase goes that can trace its roots to the Bible, with great power comes great responsibility.

“Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but …