The Perils of Flexibility and the Unexplored Power of Unbending Resolve
Hitler invaded France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands the day Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of England. It was May 10, 1940. He was 65. He said, “I take up my task with buoyancy and hope.” Six weeks later France surrendered.
Churchill was demanding and sometimes rude. He believed his purpose was to save the British Empire and he was willing to die for the cause. People didn’t like Churchill’s unbending resolve to resist Hitler until the Nazi’s were knocking at the door.
Constant change dilutes credibility. Unbending resolve in a noble cause inspires courage.
Image credit: Generated with AI ∙ September 2, 2024, at 5:19 PM
Choose Unbending Resolve Over Destructive Flexibility
#1. Unbending resolve concerning values:
Go with the flow only when the current carries you where you want to go. Flexibility promotes progress, but constant change corrupts core values.
Action item #1 – Choose guidelines worth fighting for. Try the following principles.
- Only open your mouth to make things better. Two-year olds don’t have a filter. You aren’t two anymore.
- Seek to serve. Actively add value to others regardless of the circumstances.
- Receive praise with gratitude; never actively seek it.
- Kindness is always appropriate even when confronting.
- Be curious first.
- Practice mutual accountability. Always hold yourself accountable before bringing others into account.
- Build environments where the right people thrive.
Credibility requires backbone.
#2. Unbending resolve to act.
Unbending resolve to act distinguishes leaders from followers.
Leaders speak to energize action.
Action item #2 – Design questions that lead to action.
- What’s the best outcome of this conversation?
- What will we do because of this conversation?
- What do you want to do about that?
- What have you been doing?
- What will you do differently?
- What’s the first/next step?
- What will be different if we fail? Succeed?
- What’s the timeline?
- Who needs to be involved?
- What’s your deadline?
Action apart from values is destructive. Values without action are frivolous.
Flexibility is useful, but when is unbending resolve essential?
What action does this post lead you to take?
Dig deeper:
How to be Authoritative without being a Jerk
Jerk-Holes are Better than Sugar Peeps
The Downside of Too Much Flexibility in the Workplace – WSJ
Your post about unbending resolve struck a cord with me, both as a newly designated spiritual leader and as an observer of other leaders; both those I admire and those I do not. The sentence “Credibility requires backbone.” urges me to consider and prioritize and take action on upcoming areas that require my directness in speaking, not as the constant pleaser person I am but as a leader who recognizes the need to engage others with the questions that lead to action. Thank-you for a post that resonates with me.
Thanks for jumping in with your reflection today, Pauline. As a fellow people-pleaser I know the temptation to avoid conflict. Sometimes we wait for frustration to fuel honesty but speaking in anger usually backfires. Kindness and honesty go together nicely. 🙂
I wish you well.
A mind-bending piece but totally resonates with me deeply, especially “unbending resolve to act distinguishes leaders from followers”. The worst is the contrary: Not values-centred, leading to wavering when it comes to action.
Thanks, Albert. Let’s face it, action takes more courage than inaction. That’s one reason why we get stuck sometimes.
“Constant change dilutes credibility. Unbending resolve in a noble cause inspires courage.”
Mentors and trusted peers are invaluable sounding boards. I could speak long regarding the perils of flexibility; I have often relied on the tactic of deferred action. It is a unique challenge for me to recognize whether a cause is noble or base.
Thanks Dan.
Thanks, Ryan. Outside eyes are essential for clarity. I find that a simple word can open important insights for people who need a new perspective.
Choosing a cause is doubly difficult for people who are eager to make a difference. Your comment got me thinking about “deferred action.”
Lately, I have noticed an emphasis on words, or shall I say the lack of meaningful words that carry the weight of action within them. People talk so much but execute so little or even do the opposite of what they say. This constant misalignment between our thoughts, words, and actions explains the state of our minds and the world.
Hence, “the unbending resolve to act” shows order within us.
Unbending resolve is necessary to withstand the criticism and attacks of other people and to keep on believing in yourself and your cause no matter what anyone else says or does.
Far too many people lately have gotten swept up in whatever the majority is saying and doing. In part, this is because of their own lack of or weakness in their own personal convictions. If you’re someone who is strong in your own beliefs and values, it’s less likely you’re going to follow everyone else.
I especially like your concluding quote here – “Action apart from values is destructive. Values without action are frivolous.”