[Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/448178600404195250/

It’s my goal to strive to be the best version of myself each day. This means bringing integrity to all my interactions with others. Integrity means asking myself questions throughout the day: Am I bringing people together? Am I making the world a happier place? Am I empowering others to be Servant leaders? How am I living and working with integrity? These questions guide my choices each day and allow me to develop an underlying framework that emphasizes service to others. Through acting with integrity, Servant leaders move through the world with a greater sense of meaning and fulfillment.

Leading with integrity creates freedom. Harmonic discourse drives freedom and integrity. Stewart (1997) notes that “harmonic discourse” creates, “A discourse in which all voices retain their individual integrity yet bone to forma a whole discourse that is orderly and congruous” (p. 119). Harmonic discourse is a vision of creating a more sustainable and compassionate world. Harmonic discourse requires the integrity of Servant leaders. Integrity means understanding one’s values and seeking to understand others. I’ve learned that beliefs, values, and principles drive one’s actions. For some, their beliefs are informed by religious, political or philosophical perspectives. I recognize that my Graduate School experience has fostered and developed many of my own values and beliefs. I believe that humanity’s overarching need for love, dignity, and respect, ties us in our intricate web of diverse values and personal ethics narratives. I believe that when we can embrace these differences, we cultivate personal growth. Wood (1997) writes, “Standpoint thinking cautions us not to interpret others from our personal standpoint, which may diverge from theirs” (p. 11). Servant leaders recognize that we should understand and honor each other. When we can successfully execute such thinking, we can, as Wood (1997) writes, “Recognize that diversity is a source of powerful learning about ourselves and others” (p. 12). It is through embracing differences that we move into communication that is rooted in the ethics of connectedness. This is where I can choose to be the best version of myself each day through acting with integrity.

For critics of harmonic discourse and standpoint thinking, I invite you to read the conclusion of the 1986 Seville Statement on Violence:

“We conclude that biology does not condemn humanity to war, and that humanity can be freed from the bondage of biological pessimism and empowered with confidence to undertake the transformative tasks needed … Just as ‘wars begin in the minds of men’, peace also begins in our minds. The same species who invented war is capable of inventing peace. The responsibility lies with each of us.” (Seville Statement on Violence: Seville, May 16, 1986).

Food for Thought:

1. How will you choose to invent peace in your microcosm of the world?
2. How will you be the best version of yourself today?
3. What is your response to the 1986 Seville Statement on Violence?