Dignity: In Fairness and Independence We Trust! 

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Fairness: Do I think about the impact my decisions and behavior have on others so that they feel that I treat them fairly?

Independence: Do I routinely give people the opportunity to exercise their power so that I am careful not to be too controlling?

Dr. Donna Hicks PhD, Dignity Skills and Tools, February 2011.

Fairness and independence are two elements of dignity that leaders are challenged with every day. Every time leaders make decisions that affect the people they lead they need to ask what impact will it have and do I give my team the opportunity to share their thoughts?

The two links between fairness and independence are listening and communication. If we cannot do either of these then we open up the opportunity to violate the dignity of others. When that happens, we lose trust and our integrity comes into question.

I heard this great quote from Judge Faith Jenkins (Yes, I did go there. I am quoting a reality court TV show) “Trust is lost in buckets and regained in drops.” Think back on those times when you lost trust in someone or someone lost trust in you. How hard was it to regain that trust back? I could write a book on the times I violated dignity and broke trust. Many times, I could not regain that back. There is nothing more damaging to your dignity than the loss of your integrity.

When we make decisions, we must give those who will be affected by them the chance to give their thoughts. We may not always agree but most people want to know that they are free to share with you how they feel even if it does not change what happens moving forward. Fairness and independence when they are honored lead to Inclusion, Acknowledgement, Understanding, Safety, and Acceptance. We are honoring the dignity of others at the same time we are making stronger connections to the people who have chosen us to lead them.

We are facing some difficult and challenging times in healthcare. When times are tough, we as leaders must stand tall and strong. We must remember that honoring and elevating dignity is important it we want to get through these challenging times.

I will end this post with a quote from the amazing actor Ruby Dee:

“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within – strength, courage, dignity.”

Charles Redd RN

Dignity Freedom Fighter

Published by Dignity Freedom Fighter

My Name is Charles Redd and I am a Registered Nurse and I have been committed to Honoring and Elevating Dignity ever since I read to amazing book written by Dr. Donna Hicks called "Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture that Brings out the Best in People" It is an excellent book especially if you are looking to change the culture of your team. I have witness this positive change not only in myself but in teams I have led. Back in July of 2020 I coined the phrase "Dignity Friday". I based it on the 10 Essentials of Dignity created by Dr. Hicks. I have share personal stories of my dignity journey and I have received great feedback. I hope what I share with you each Friday will help you as you continue your life's journey.

One thought on “Dignity: In Fairness and Independence We Trust! ”

  1. Well said ! I have learned to be the last to speak in my team meetings-giving everyone a chance to speak before I speak. Very challenging to hold my tongue. I realize how important it is for others to be heard and allows me to know what others think before I speak.

    I did loose trust of a leader for whom being trusted was very important to me. As was said, it took a very long time to regain that trust again-a drop at a time. Now that trust is sacred to me.

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