Leading with Character: Hope and Freedom

Last Friday, the people of the United States celebrated the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which occurred on July 4th, 1776, in Philadelphia, PA. The United States was not yet a free country; the war for independence was being fought by the colonists against the British and the outcome wasn’t certain until five years later when the British surrendered at Yorktown, VA in 1781. But the hope of freedom shone like a guiding light, uniting the colonists around those shared values and inspiring them to ultimate victory.

Founding Values

Hope and freedom. Those values are as relevant today as they were in 1776. In the 249 years since then, the people of the United States have continued fighting—and sometimes dying—to preserve those values and our treasured way of life. I’m intrigued by the connection between those two powerful nouns—hope and freedom. To me, hope is more ethereal. More like a state of mind. Everyone has the agency to control how they think and react. We can all hope! Freedom, on the other hand, is more concrete. It can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Sometimes, people cannot control their environment or circumstances. But hope can help people survive and thrive when their freedom is restricted. Hope and freedom go together like a hamburger and a bun.

I think hope and freedom mean different things to different people, yet we often fail to recognize or acknowledge that. For instance, one person’s freedom of expression may make another person feel excluded and isolated. One person’s freedom from fear may result in other people being restricted or restrained. One person’s freedom to choose may deprive others of what they need. For our society to continue to thrive and to preserve our way of life, it’s crucial that we all make our best effort to understand and respect each other, regardless of differing interpretations of the values that unite us.

Betting Big

The Founders knew they were betting big on the People’s ability to put aside their differences and unite to fight for and preserve our fragile republic. Whether in the workplace, our communities, or at home, let’s commit to do our level best to not let them down.

Look in the mirror: As a leader, what can you do to cultivate a workplace climate that unites people around shared values while respecting different interpretations?

Please join me next time for more on Leading with Character.

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