| The Army defines seven values that soldiers should | | | | volumes about yourself and your business or |
| strive to emulate in their daily lives. These core | | | | organization. |
| values establish a standard of conduct; they form | | | | Selfless Service - Put the welfare of the nation, the |
| the foundation of personal behavior that defines the | | | | Army, and your subordinates before your own. |
| person, as well as the expectations soldiers have of | | | | Selfless service leads to organizational teamwork and |
| one another. These values are Loyalty, Duty, | | | | encompasses discipline, self-control and faith in the |
| Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and | | | | system. |
| Personal Courage. | | | | Take care of your children, your parents, your |
| Here's the thing. The Army didn't invent the values. | | | | siblings, and co-workers. Go the 'extra mile' for your |
| There are many more than seven values that | | | | customers and clients, even if gains you nothing more |
| identify desirable human conduct and behavior (and | | | | than some personal satisfaction. Volunteer to take on |
| plenty that define undesirable behavior as well), and | | | | the tough job, or the mundane job that others avoid. |
| they've been around for a long time. | | | | Honor - Live up to all the Army values. |
| So, that said, it should come as no surprise that the | | | | Live up to the values of your business, your |
| seven Army values are not just for the military - | | | | community, your church, your family. Act accordingly, |
| they apply to each and every citizen...this makes | | | | and others will recognize you as an individual of |
| perfect sense, as all soldiers are citizens first. | | | | principled character. Don't fall into the trap of, "but I |
| We all have positions in life...stations, if you will...and it | | | | just did what others did before me". Given the |
| matters not what your station in life happens to | | | | choice, take the 'high road'. Distinguish yourself from |
| be...some or all of these seven values are tested as a | | | | those who would be satisfied to do less. |
| matter of course, each day of one's life. The values | | | | Integrity - Do what is right, legally and morally. |
| are as applicable to the student as they are to the | | | | Ask yourself, "Is this the right thing to do? How does |
| professor; as important to the patient as they are to | | | | it reflect on who I am?" If your inner voice is |
| the doctor; as challenging to the child as they are to | | | | sounding the alarm, it's doing so for a good reason. |
| the adult; and as attainable by the penniless as they | | | | Avoid shortcuts, cheats, or otherwise doing less than |
| are by the millionaire. In short, the seven values are | | | | what is expected. Don't compromise yourself, your |
| for everyone. | | | | friends, family or business for some short-term |
| What are the values, and how are they applicable to | | | | satisfaction. Integrity offers long-term rewards that |
| everyone? | | | | can't be acquired any other way. |
| Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. | | | | Personal Courage - Face fear, danger, or adversity |
| constitution, the Army, and other soldiers. Be loyal to | | | | with physical and moral courage. |
| the nation and its heritage. | | | | Is a boss asking you to do something questionable? |
| For the citizen, this means showing your faith in our | | | | Watched the local bully pick on someone repeatedly? |
| nation, your elected and appointed leaders and your | | | | Been in a group that disparages a certain race or |
| fellow citizens. People want to know they can trust | | | | ethnicity? It may be safer to go along with the |
| you. And you want the same reassurances from | | | | crowd, or do nothing at all. It takes inner strength to |
| others. | | | | stand up to peer pressure, bullies, social challenges, |
| Duty - Fulfill your obligations. Accept responsibility for | | | | and moral dilemmas. It's easy to be a |
| your actions and those entrusted to your care. Find | | | | follower...anyone can do that. True leadership requires |
| opportunities to improve oneself for the good of the | | | | all of one's audacity, nerve and 'guts' to negotiate the |
| unit. | | | | difficult roads that lie before us. |
| For the citizen, you've got a job to do and people | | | | Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, |
| depend on you to get it done. If someone needs | | | | Integrity, and Personal Courage. These are values for |
| help, give it to them. If you need help, seek it from | | | | everyone. No, they're not always easy to live up. Our |
| your peers. Be consistent in action and deed. | | | | standards are challenged all the time. We make |
| Respect - Treat people as they should be treated. | | | | mistakes. Hopefully, we learn from them, and over |
| How we consider others reflects upon each of us, | | | | time, these values become a part of who we are. |
| both personally and as a professional organization. | | | | The best news is that if we emulate these values |
| Act courteously toward friends, acquaintances and | | | | singularly, we become a better people collectively. |
| strangers alike. If you disagree with an opinion or | | | | And that is why the values are so important. They |
| point of view, challenge the position, but avoid the | | | | set us apart from those who choose not to live up |
| personal attack. Remember that your actions speak | | | | to them. |