#029 – A Man of Rectitude
A Man of Rectitude clings to the sect of right with such tenacity of purpose that neither the passions of the mob nor the violence of the tyrant can ever cause him to transgress the bounds of right. But who shall be such a Phoenix of equity? What a scanty following has rectitude! Many praise it indeed, but–for others. Others follow it till danger threatens; then the false deny it, the politic conceal it. For it cares not if it fights with friendship, power, or even selfinterest: then comes the danger of desertion. Then astute men make plausible distinctions so as not to stand in the way of their superiors or of reasons of state. But the straightforward and constant regard dissimulation as a kind of treason, and set more store on tenacity than on sagacity. Such are always to be found on the side of truth, and if they desert a party, they do not change from fickleness, but because the others have first deserted truth.
As a coach, we need to make sure we have a coaching philosophy and follow it. The only thing worse than not having a philosophy is having one and not following it. There will be many times that your philosophy will be challenged. Will you stay consistent with your actions, or will you allow the situation to dictate your actions? Will you “bend your rules” when things get tough? We have to make sure we do not compromise our values for a quick victory. Once we go down the slippery slope of uncertainty in our philosophies, it is hard to gain our footing back. Having clarity and sticking to our set values will be hard at times, but that is what makes sustainable success in a program.
This blog series is based on the book “The Art of Worldly Wisdom” by Balthasar Gracián. This book was written for advice on how to achieve personal and professional success. This blog series aims to visit the points of wisdom and put them in the spotlight of the coaching and education lens.
