Our True North

After all, what good are organizational values if we do not stand by them in times of crises, even if the costs for doing so end up being high? The Foundation’s values embrace the essence of humanity. While we do remain open to deeper learning, there is no confusion about what constitutes goodness, healing, and love!

The Board is united and clear about this position. Vicki McCoy, MA, Chair of the Board of Directors frames it like this: “The Foundation for Self Leadership has dedicated itself to fostering emotional, relationship and societal healing and wellbeing and a more just and peaceful world. There are moments in the lives of people and organizations that call for us to humbly and courageously identify who we are and what we stand for. This is our moment, as a Foundation and as a Board. In its simplest terms, we are taking a stand for human dignity, compassion, and justice. We invite you to take your own stand or join us in ours. A troubled world needs to unambiguously hear our voices.”

At a time of tumultuous change, when the very ground beneath our feet seems unstable, people and organizations have both an opportunity and an obligation to consider the fundamental values and purpose that anchor them. At the Foundation for Self Leadership, we embrace principles that guide our actions individually and collectively in times of crisis and in times of stability, in times of turmoil and in times of peace. This statement highlights the solid foundation upon which we stand:

Honoring Our Shared Humanity

We believe deeply that to be born human is to be granted inherent, fundamental rights to dignity, freedom of thought, personal liberty, and equal justice under the law, regardless of one’s individual or generational identity or social status. These liberties and legacies need to be respected and honored as a cornerstone of a civil society and world. We vigorously applaud organizations that have taken a stand in support of diversity, equity and inclusion—a philosophy we passionately adopt. To us, these ideas are principles not trends; we find immeasurable value in, and depend upon, the breadth of perspectives and lived experiences in our community.

Upholding Honesty & Openness

We endeavor to speak what we believe to be truth with honesty and respect, recognizing universally established logical norms and empirical facts. We affirm the need for open, mutually supportive dialogue in all settings and acknowledge with humility that our knowledge and wisdom are inherently limited by the confines of our own experiences and capacity, particularly in complex situations. We are committed to remaining curious, open to listening and learning so that we can keep expanding our views and thought processes as we make decisions.

Navigating Conflicts Constructively

Our first inclination is to build bridges with all, including our adversaries; yet we recognize that there may be times when it is not possible. We acknowledge that conflicts are a natural occurrence across human interactions and that some—like today’s conflicts—are extreme, testing the boundaries of even our human existence. Our intent is to navigate conflicts we face and to facilitate resolutions with as much grace, empathy and patience as possible.

Living Our Values and Purpose with Courage & Integrity

Our governing board and executive team pledge to align decisions and actions with these principles, which reflect the high ideals of Self leadership—a window into the best of who each of us can be. We will find the courage and tenacity to stand by our core values, especially in the face of adversity. We will consistently seek to defend and safeguard human decency and dignity—even at a high cost to ourselves. We invite you to hold us accountable to this pledge.