A634.6.3.RB_Davis Carl What are Virtues?

  

1.	Temperance: Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.
2.	Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3.	Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4.	Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5.	Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e., Waste nothing.
6.	Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7.	Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.
8.	Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9.	Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10.	Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11.	Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12.	Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13.	Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

From: http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/pop_virtues_list.html

Welcome back, readers! We have an interesting topic to cover this week: virtue.

Looking up virtue at the on-line Miriam-Webster dictionary ( https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue ) provides two primary definitions. One is that virtue is “conformity to a standard of right”, and the other being “a particular moral excellence”. Given the overarching topic of our class is that of ethical leadership, a discussion of virtue, and virtues, is in order.

A founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, wrote about the virtues he felt every person should follow. Here is a link to the list: http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/pop_virtues_list.html . The Public Broadcasting System also provides a link to a test that can be taken to see how one stacks up to living by Ben’s virtues. The test can be found here:  http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/exp_virtue.html . 

The test does not take long to take and is entertaining and informative. The website provides feedback based on the answers given. I was notified that I need to work on the virtues of temperance and moderation.

Mr. Franklin was known for being very wise. I find his list to be thought compelling. I don’t disagree on the outcome of the test. I enjoy a good meal and know I need to work on moderating my portion sizes. I have been known to tell my children, “Don’t forget, even drinking too much water can be bad for you,” as I try to point out they may be binging on something and need to moderate themselves. Practicing what I preach would be a good start. As my example suggests, moderation does not apply solely to food. As our society becomes more and more impacted by the digital revolution, too much time in front of a computer or television or on a cell phone are all becoming exercises in gluttony for many. Addiction is a difficult disease from which to recover and moderation is a tool that assists in combatting its manifestation.

On an apparently similar vein, Mr. Franklin’s definition of temperance http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/pop_virtues_list.html invites one to “Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.” Again, I’ll watch the portion sizes of whatever I ingest, be it orally, aurally, visually, or via another of my senses.

As a leader, I believe that the virtue of resolution is one worth contemplating. Mr. Franklin espoused making the conscious decision to do “what one ought”, and then to carry out that action. Said another way, don’t shirk your responsibilities. Those that follow you or work for you will expect you to do what you say you will and to follow the ethics and morals accepted by all of you. It has been my experience, both as a leader and a follower, that the message delivered by leaders that fall short of being resolute is extremely powerful and longer lasting than the messages sent by being resolute. While that seems unfair, it is a lesson to remember.

Mr. Franklin’s focus on cleanliness is applicable to leadership because those you are leading will judge you by the non-verbal messages you send. Dressing shabbily, smelling too much (that includes overdoing the cologne or perfume), or just appearing to have little care for hygiene will impact your ability to lead. I have been around some leaders with halitosis so bad it was nearly impossible to concentrate on what they were saying when they talked. (Yes, at a private opportunity later, I mentioned the issue to the leader in as polite a way as I could. It went well and the person appreciated I would give them feedback no one else had.) I strive to dress well, keep my appearance sharp, and to be aware of my level of cleanliness. My desk can use some help, though. I tend to let it get messy and then clean it every-so-often. I could use more focus there.

Take some time and review Mr. Franklin’s list. Take the test and see how you fare. Take the recommendations from the test and resolve to apply them! (See what I did there? 😉)

See you next week!