Over the last few months, I have been struggling. It is probably why I have not been as consistent with my Dignity posts. It can be challenging to come up with things to write every week because my hope is that what I say can have value and that it can resonate with you in a meaningful way. I hope today’s post will be that moment for you. It is something I have been thinking about for the last few weeks.
I have written a few times over the years on the importance of goals and having a mission and vision. I have these things in my life. They keep me focused and moving forward especially when I struggle. The last piece that I believe holds things together and keeps you focused is having values or standards that dictate how you live every day. Without values or beliefs, you cannot be successful with your mission, vision, or goals. I know this to be true from my life experiences. When I was young, I had dreams about what I wanted to do with my life. Unfortunately, my values and how I lived my life went against those dreams. I wasn’t a good son, brother, husband, friend, or father. I have values but they revolved around the wrong things. It took significant events in my life to change me and refocus me so that I could become a better person.
Values for me are embedded in those 10 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS of DIGNITY created by Dr. Donna Hicks, PhD.
- Acceptance of Identity
- Acknowledgment
- Accountability
- Benefit of the Doubt
- Fairness
- Inclusion
- Independence
- Recognition
- Safety
- Understanding
Essential-Elements-of-Dignity-DonnaHicks
As Dr. Hicks states, “They are what we extend to others and would like for ourselves.” These elements are the driving force in my everyday life. It is what keeps me from being the old Charles.
Any place I ever worked at had set values and whenever there were challenges it was usually because we moved away from our values. When we can set the standard of how we are going to treat each other it must be in line with those values and standards of excellence that we choose to live by when we accepted our role. As a good friend said to me, “It all comes down to leadership.” When we are leaders, it is important that we lead based on the values and standards that we hold our teams to every day. You must walk the walk to talk the talk. If we do not live up to the standards set, then neither will the people we lead.
When I am involved in a disagreement or argument sometimes in the heat of the moment, I can get off track. It is when I step back and go through the ten elements of dignity, I can evaluate to see where I may have violated the other person’s dignity, and they may have done the same to me. My goal is to figure out how to right the wrong and get back on track. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, but it is the journey to do the right thing that is most important.
Having values which I believe equates to honoring dignity is the glue that holds everything together. Your goals and successes are linked to this belief. If you look at the most successful teams, partnerships, or relationships it comes down to the values they hold true too.
I hope you found value in my words today.
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.
― Gandhi
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 