29. Noble

(5-minute read)

As I watched the speeches from Putin and Biden today and read the pundit's assessments of what it all means, I am struck by what it means to be noble.??

When I read the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer entitled “Navigating a Polarized World” and the four forces that lead to polarization, we are greeted by the following:

• Economic Anxieties - economic optimism is collapsing around the world…
• Institutional Imbalance - business is now the sole institution seen as competent and ethical; government is viewed as unethical and incompetent
• Mass-Class Divide - quantiles of income live in different trust realities
• The Battle for Truth - shared media has given way to echo chambers making collaboration difficult to achieve.

Add in the incredible hype and rise of generative ai and you have a recipe for never seen before complexity and geopolitical uncertainty.? The key pillars of humanity and society, in general, are now being driven by fear, with a desperate need for the restoration of hope.? Hope in the form of a better life. And of a better and just way.???

When it comes to creating hope, I believe that it resides in the act of living a noble life. It is important to keep in mind that the actions we take today will shape the world of tomorrow. It is up to us to lead the way and be a shining example of what it means to be noble. We have the power to make a difference in the world and it is our responsibility to use it for the betterment of all.

The concept of being noble is something that has been around for centuries, and it is still relevant today. People strive to be noble in different ways, and that is something that we should all strive for. For example, it can be something as simple as being kind to people or standing up for what is right. It can also be something bigger, like finding a way to make a lasting impact on the world.

No matter what type of noble cause we choose to pursue, it is important to remember that our actions will have a ripple effect. The decisions we make today will affect those around us and, ultimately, the world. We have the power to make a difference, and it is up to us to use that power for good.

This holds even more true for a business.? In the 23-year history of fielding the Edelman Trust Barometer the shifting nature of trust is now looking to business to help us navigate our way forward.? The pressure is on CEOs to take a stand.? To have our back. And to meet the financial demands of shareholders is at an all-time high.? Can you name a company or a CEO that represents the ideals of being noble today??

I submit, being noble is about holding yourself to a higher standard, one that's based on virtues such as kindness, honesty, empathy, and respect. It's about doing the right thing, even when it's hard or unpopular. It's about using your voice and your actions to help create positive change in your community and the world at large.

In a world that often feels dark and hopeless, being noble can be a beacon of light. It's a way of shining a positive and infectious influence on those around you. When you embody these qualities, you inspire others to do the same. And before you know it, a ripple effect of positivity and goodness can spread throughout the world.

Now, you may be wondering, how can I be noble in my day-to-day life? It can start with small acts of kindness, such as smiling at a stranger, holding the door open, or offering to help someone in need. It can also mean being an ally to those who are marginalized, standing up against injustice, and actively working to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

I ask that we challenge ourselves to be noble every day, in big and small ways. Let's hold ourselves to a higher standard and help to make the world a better place. We can all make a difference, and it starts with being noble.

This is not about asking for permission, this is about being noble and lighting a fire for all to see.? This is what a narrative is all about. It is about being and living the very essence of acting in a noble way.???

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” ~ President John F. Kennedy

NOW (How you are realizing this today)

1. Can you identify how you and your business are being noble today?
2. Can you define that or embellish it into practice??

NEW (How you will realize this tomorrow)

1. What act of kindness or social impact can you make over the next 90 days?
2. What can you eliminate from your current activities that would create an addition-by-subtraction kind of impact??
3. Where can you implement a pay-it-forward act in your community??

NEXT (I see a world in which)?

I see a world in which the act of being noble will have the desired effect we all want to see for the next generations going forward.?

I prompted ChatGPT to find great articles written by world-renowned authors who are noble leaders and below you find an interesting collection of those works. I also asked for the greatest movies featuring noble characters.? It is a fascinating collection that speaks for itself.??

1. "The Nobility of the Human Spirit" by the Dalai Lama?

2. "The Nobility of Service" by Mahatma Gandhi?

3. "Nobility of Purpose" by Malala Yousafzai?

4. "The Nobility of Truth" by Nelson Mandela

5. Braveheart

6. Schindler’s List

7. Les Miserables

8. It’s a Wonderful Life

The Payoff?

“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” ~ Martin Luther King

Follow me on LinkedIn . Or DM at [email protected] for more information.

- Click the ?? in my profile to get notified of my posts…

Thank you for reading. If you like what you are reading, please share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues.?