I have come to realize that, at my center, my decision making process as a leader, and as a person, is a simple one. Although I would never describe myself as as someone who sees things as “black and white,” rather than very many shades of gray, the question I always come back to is “Is it the right thing to do?”

I don’t mean that to sound or be simplistic. Lots of things aren’t clear cut right or wrong and we do the best we can. But, sometimes, maybe even often, we know what the right thing is and we hesitate. Maybe it is difficult or requires more time, energy, resources than we think we can muster. Maybe we have to fight our way through opposition or struggle with getting others to understand. But, at the end of the day, in our core, we know what is right.

Doing the right thing is not uncomplicated. We may put ourselves at some risk, by speaking our truth to those who don’t want to hear it, by supporting an unpopular position, by standing firm in the face of opposition. It is, by no means, easy. In my own life, I can recall instances in which, despite my concerns and personal beliefs, I accepted the decisions of others, decisions that felt wrong to me, and went along. In some cases, it was because I was young and inexperienced and thought others knew better. In others, it was because holding my position would, and could, have compromised my livelihood. And, in more personal situations, it has been based on a deep seated desire to keep peace and avoid conflict.

At this point, I have come to realize that I have to follow my internal compass, I have to believe that my true north is in doing what I am convinced is “the right thing.” I have to summon up whatever courage is needed, keep my focus on the ultimate goal and do whatever is necessary to reach that objective.

The only person we have to answer to, when all is said and done, is ourselves. Our choices, our decisions are all, of course, the best that we can do at that point in time. Sometimes we don’t know the whole story and sometimes things change. But I commit myself to looking for the right thing, to remembering the greater good, to holding firm to what I believe. It is the only way for me to live in truth and to be able to fill my full heart.