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A Standard Of Being

2/22/2017

 
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 “What guides you?”  It was an interesting and earnest question, posed to me by a client.  It implied all manner of things from morals to ethics and beyond.  However, this question wasn’t posed to hear about my professional code of ethics (certified coaches have one, it is several pages long and a bit of a dry read), it was posed to better understand the unbreakable rules I hold myself true to.
 
There is no shortage of examples, like the Hippocratic oath and many other widely publicized codes of conduct; chivalry to the Ten Commandments…the “Prime Directive” on Star Trek.  Every public organization has crafted a “code” for themselves that you can find on their website if you look hard enough.  All of these examples provide guidance on how we should act, how we should conduct ourselves.  How we should…we don’t always.
 
Which begs the question, is there an unbreakable rule that you feel so strongly about you use it almost unknowing to guide your actions?   This is less transient then a social nicety and more sweeping then making sure you don’t physically bring harm to someone.  A line in the sand that encompasses your morals, values and beliefs in a simplified and clear way; just part of who you are.  A constant.
 
A client I was working with received a new job, and all the obligatory paperwork that came with it.  He very nearly didn’t end up with the job because of the insistence that the paperwork was routine and didn’t need to be read through thoroughly before signing.  He understood that his desire to read through each page before signing was somehow indicating to his new employer that he did not trust them.  Fortunately he caught the nuance and was able to help his new employer understand that he had a guiding principle about signing paperwork and would be happy to bring it back tomorrow, allowing them to move on with things, while putting to bed any concerns about trust. How would you have dealt with pressure to “just sign” something, especially when you really needed that “something”?
 
More than the principle itself is what it calls for in us.  Having a guiding principle helps us to be alert to what is going on around us, and in so doing, attend to things in a way we may not have anticipated, bringing forward what is needed to reach deeper understanding. It is pretty easy to avoid intentionally bringing physical harm to someone.  Most of us are also good at steering clear of unintentionally causing harm too (thanks to lessons from our youth).  Yet, each of us can likely bring to mind a time when we felt uncomfortable about something – an early warning sign from our internal guidance system.  What makes you uncomfortable?  What is the discomfort telling you?  Is it a part of what guides you?
 
This process of being “awake” is important; it points to who we are, how we see ourselves and how we like to be seen by others.  A form of consciousness, “What guides you” is a very important question, one worth considering. 
 
What guides us makes us who we are, whether we are aware of it or not.  What guides you?

“Whomsoever may torment you, harass you, confound you, or upset you, is a teacher. Not because they're wise, but because you seek to become so.” – TUT (Notes From The Universe) http://www.tut.com/Inspiration/nftu


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  • Work With Carleen
    • About Carleen
    • Career Strategy Session >
      • Get The Most Out Of Your Career Strategy Session
    • Podcasts
    • Coaching Programs >
      • Lead with Impact
      • Career Impact
      • Purpose to Impact
      • Recognize Your Leadership Potential >
        • Welcome to Recognizing Your Leadership Potential
      • Realize Your High Potential
      • The Art of Influence at Work
      • Your Time By Design
      • Assessment
    • Book Me To Speak >
      • Persuasive at Work
      • Workshops That Work >
        • Getting Hybrid Right
        • Leading a Hybrid Team Workshop
        • Communicating Comfortably in a Hybrid Setting Workshop
        • Finding Your Leadership Compass Hybrid Teams Workshop
        • Communicating Comfortably in a Virtual Setting Workshop
        • Leading in Ambiguity Workshop
        • Accomplishing Work Through Others Workshop
        • My Values Driven Workplace Workshop
        • Working Successfully From Home Workshop
        • Working Resilience
        • The Many Faces of Unconscious Bias Workshop
        • Building A Culture of Trust Workshop
        • Finding Your Leadership Compass Workshop
        • Foundational Conversations Workshop
        • Conscious Conversations Workshop
        • Purpose Driven Feedback Workshop
        • Dynamic Team Communication Workshop
    • Awards
  • Client Stories
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Free Resources
    • Summer Serenity Inspiration Guide
    • Working Life Wellbeing Assessment
    • Hidden Habits Holding You Back
    • Secrets to Boost Your Job Security
    • Working Life Serenity
    • Virtual Influence
    • Hello Monday Videos
    • Career Resources
    • Life Practices >
      • I Feel Angry
      • I Feel Stuck
      • I Am Overwhelmed
      • I Need Self-Compassion
      • Emotions At Work
      • Mindfulness
      • Triggers At Work
      • Naming Emotions
      • I Feel Frustrated
    • Balancing Time Workbook
    • Working Life Persona Quiz
    • Career Health Quiz
    • Healthy Boundaries Quiz
  • Referral Partners
  • Connect
  • Subscribe
  • The Career Edit