Build Unshakable Resilience: 1st Pillar of True North Radical Resilience

Hello LinkedIn All-Star’s - I hope you all had a phenomenal leap day yesterday!!??

This is the second email in a series all about building True North Radical Resilience (TNRR) into your life, whether you want to strengthen your marriage, make your workforce kill it this year, or make strides in your relationship with your kids.

As the research - and my professional (and personal) experience - attest - individuals, organizations, families, etc., that establish a resilient True North (i.e., authentic) identity - are significantly more likely to be healthy, happy, successful, and fulfilled psychologically, physically, occupationally, and relationally!!

Furthermore - radically resilient individuals, organizations, families, etc., are well equipped and resourced to maximize their fullest potential (because they have a clear vision for what that is - and they are prepared to learn from and grow through the obstacles that hold most people - and organizations - back from actualizing their greatest potential!).

This is why Harvard Business Review called resilience training one of the greatest “strategic advantages” you could possibly develop!

In fact, investing in TNRR is way more than just an advantage. It’s a total life-transformer!

But what does this actually mean? (and how do we APPLY it in a real way?)

TNRR means knowing your identity and core values at the deepest level. You know where you stand and how to anchor back to them when life falls apart.

When I talk about this with clients, I frequently hear them tell me, “I’ve done core values work before!”

Then - when I ask them to tell me about the work they’ve done - I see everything from:

• a list of values that was stuffed into a folder somewhere - one that clearly had not been referred to in some time (rendering them ineffective!)
• a list of 20 core values (for a person - or an organization - this many values renders them totally ineffective - because they are totally impractical!)
• core values that were produced from an assessment - using the language of that particular tool - that didn’t reflect how the person - or - organization communicated?
• core values that had been compartmentalized - I was reading a list of corporate values that sounded good, but when I asked the CEO if they reflected their personal values, they had no idea!
• and last but certainly not least - a list of values that were made public - to signal what the person or organization stood for - but - their behavior was totally contradictory to the values listed (creating confusion, chaos, frustration, etc.)

This is NOT how you channel your core values and develop True North Radical Resilience!

Maybe they have a list of values, but the problem is they don't know HOW to APPLY those core values, especially when their feet get held to the fire! They don’t understand their identity at a fundamental level.

True North Radical Resilience is about being able to anchor back to those core values in times of distress and confusion. It’s about knowing what to prioritize in times of disorder and chaos, then apply those values in the midst of struggle to stay anchored to the best version of yourself (bringing order to chaos!).

SUBJ: Why “Core Work” doesn’t work (and why TNRR does!)

Hey [first name],

Hope you all had a phenomenal leap day/year!!

This is the second email in a series all about building True North Radical Resilience (TNRR) into your life, whether you want to strengthen your marriage, make your workforce kill it this year, or make strides in your relationship with your kids.

As the research - and my professional (and personal) experience - attest - individuals, organizations, families, etc., that establish a resilient True North (i.e., authentic) identity - are significantly more likely to be healthy, happy, successful, and fulfilled psychologically, physically, occupationally, and relationally!!

Furthermore - radically resilient individuals, organizations, families, etc., are well equipped and resourced to maximize their fullest potential (because they have a clear vision for what that is - and they are prepared to learn from and grow through the obstacles that hold most people - and organizations - back from actualizing their greatest potential!).

This is why Harvard Business Review called resilience training one of the greatest “strategic advantages” you could possibly develop!

In fact, investing in TNRR is way more than just an advantage. It’s a total life-transformer!

But what does this actually mean? (and how do we APPLY it in a real way?)

TNRR means knowing your identity and core values at the deepest level. You know where you stand and how to anchor back to them when life falls apart.

When I talk about this with clients, I frequently hear them tell me, “I’ve done core values work before!”

Then - when I ask them to tell me about the work they’ve done - I see everything from:

• a list of values that was stuffed into a folder somewhere - one that clearly had not been referred to in some time (rendering them ineffective!)
• a list of 20 core values (for a person - or an organization - this many values renders them totally ineffective - because they are totally impractical!)
• core values that were produced from an assessment - using the language of that particular tool - that didn’t reflect how the person - or - organization communicated?
• core values that had been compartmentalized - I was reading a list of corporate values that sounded good, but when I asked the CEO if they reflected their personal values, they had no idea!
• and last but certainly not least - a list of values that were made public - to signal what the person or organization stood for - but - their behavior was totally contradictory to the values listed (creating confusion, chaos, frustration, etc.)

This is NOT how you channel your core values and develop True North Radical Resilience!

Maybe they have a list of values, but the problem is they don't know HOW to APPLY those core values, especially when their feet get held to the fire! They don’t understand their identity at a fundamental level.

True North Radical Resilience is about being able to anchor back to those core values in times of distress and confusion. It’s about knowing what to prioritize in times of disorder and chaos, then apply those values in the midst of struggle to stay anchored to the best version of yourself (bringing order to chaos!).

We can understand this even deeper by studying James Fowler’s theory of identity.

Fowler was a theologian - who developed a model of faith identity - that has since been used in a variety of different identity constructs.

His belief was that identity existed on a spectrum, ranging from least mature to most mature.?

One end of the spectrum is what we call “Magnetic North” where people assume the values of their environment - their family’s values, a church’s values, cultural values, etc., - but they do this without actually understanding what these values mean to them, why they are important, and how they would desire to apply them.

According to Fowler, when people follow the Magnetic North model, they have a very shallow and insecure belief system. Meaning - if their values are challenged, their identity feels threatened. Interpersonally, these people tend to be more intolerant and rigid in their view of the world. Basically, “my way or the highway!”

For example, if your boss at work followed the Magnetic North model and you questioned one of their views, their answer would seem incomplete or shallow. This boss didn’t take the time to chew on and really process their values, so they can’t defend their belief system. Ultimately, they don’t know who they are!

In fact, this boss would likely be less tolerant and more rigid of other viewpoints, which (you can easily imagine) would be a nightmare for managing a diverse group of employees!

Fowler believed everyone ought to deeply explore and process why their values matter to them - it’s the key to developing that “mature” sense of identity!

How do your values manifest in day to day life?

What do your values mean to you - and why are they so significant and meaningful to you?

How do you interact with family, friends, and coworkers because of your values?

How do you conduct yourself in tough situations based on those values?

This doesn’t look like, “I am who I am and you should accept that!”

That statement is the OPPOSITE of True North because it reveals a deep insecurity - it shows that the existence of other viewpoints is unsettling to you, so you try to curtail others to fit your model.

When you have a deep, mature sense of identity, you don’t feel like the entire world has to agree with you! You know why you believe what you believe, and you don’t feel the compulsion to make others acquiesce to your view.

In Fowler’s model - setting a solid foundation of identity comes out of a deep sense of authenticity.

And the more we define those values and practice them in tough times, the deeper that identity becomes. When you operate from a place of deep authenticity, your sense of purpose, mission, and vision for your life become clearer and clearer. You have a blueprint of how to act in every situation, whether personally, interpersonally, professionally, and so on.?

Ultimately, this solid identity provides the bedrock for the Four C’s (Clarity, Consistency, Cohesion, and Conviction), the key to crushing any adversity, transforming chaos into order, and achieving unparalleled success in your life. Everything should be in alignment with your values!

This is the first pillar of True North Radical Resilience (TNRR).

Whenever I work with individuals or companies to define those core values and build TNRR, it is an absolute game-changer.?

We’ve done this work hundreds of times, and it’s amazing how predictable, reliable, efficient - and yet - powerful the results are!!

Employees maximize productivity and take less time off due to medical leave and last-resort vacations.

Companies create a rock-star workforce and break records in profits.?

Individuals exceed personal goals and spread that growth to their families and friends.?

Husbands and wives respect each other’s differences and work more in harmony, not in competition.

The list goes on!

So if you’re ready to set your True North foundation and direction - and become the most resilient person in the room, or if you know your workforce has so much more to offer, or if you simply want to start thriving when your feet get held to the fire, then I want to talk to you!?

Reply to this email with “I need a game-changer!”?

Next time, we’re going to cover more foundational pillars of building True North Radical Resilience.?

Don’t miss ‘em!

In your corner,

- Dr. Andy