Don’t settle.

Life – especially organizational life -- is filled with compromise and negotiation.  It is often the bedrock of successful collaboration.  You have to give up certain things in order to keep moving forward.

That said, when it comes to matters of principle and your personal values, please don’t settle!  When you start to compromise your values – your moral compass – you begin to disengage from your work.  Little by little, your passion, fulfillment and loyalty will wane.  Clients describe it as “dying inside.”

Have the courage to stand up for your convictions.  It’s not always easy, but it’s the ultimate test of your integrity and strength of character. Indeed, this is one of the most critical aspects of effective, authentic leadership.  See if you can come up with other solutions or approaches that help you get the job done while staying true to your convictions. There’s always another option if you dig deep enough.

If you find that you regularly face the dilemma of compromising your personal values in order to get your job done, it’s time to take a hard look at your situation and decide if it’s good for you long-term.  Is it time to make a new choice?