Edition #31

Will You Hold Your Values When the Heat Is On?

Pressure reveals what’s real.
In leadership, moments of strain test not just our skill, but our character:

• You’re asked to bend the rules to win

• Results are demanded now, no matter the cost

• A teammate compromises, and you’re expected to play along

• Family values get buried under growing work demands

When the pressure rises, your values are either anchors or accessories. The choice is yours.

Ask yourself:

• What are my non-negotiables, the values I won’t sacrifice?

• When have I compromised before, and what did it cost me?

• Am I shaping my decisions, or letting circumstances shape me?

Challenge:
Write down your top three values and one way you'll live each one out in the next week, especially when it's hard. Share those values with someone you trust. Let accountability strengthen integrity.

For more on navigating tension under pressure, this article on values-based leadership from McKinsey is worth reading.

Will You Lead Yourself With Integrity?

Values-aligned leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency.
Leaders with integrity don’t wait until they're in the spotlight to decide who they are, they train their habits in the quiet moments.

Ask yourself:

• Where am I walking one thing but talking another?

• Who holds me accountable when I drift?

• What small habit would help me live more consistently this week?

Challenge:
Before your next difficult decision, pause and ask: “What’s the most values-aligned option here?” Even a 10-second pause can keep you aligned under pressure.

For a powerful reflection on the power of alignment, this Harvard Business Review piece on leadership authenticity is a helpful read.

Will You Model Conviction for Others?

When you stand strong, you create safety for others to do the same.
Teams and families don’t just need leaders who talk about values they need leaders who live them when it counts.

Ask yourself:

• Do my actions make it easier or harder for others to live their values?

• Do I celebrate people when they choose integrity over convenience?

• Am I creating a culture where people are called to courage, not compromise?

Challenge:
Tell your team or family about a value you’re choosing to live out this week and why. Invite them to do the same. Shared conviction builds collective confidence.

For a deeper dive into how conviction shapes culture, explore Michael Hyatt’s guide to leading with values in high-pressure environments.

P.S If you missed the last edition, you can go back and review it here