It takes Courage to close the Principle to Practice Gap

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The aforementioned quote is where the gap between Principle and Practice begins.

In an era where virtues such as kindness, truth, mercy, generosity, and honesty are widely celebrated in the abstract, the real-world application of these qualities often falls short of the lofty ideals promoted by various organizations and institutions. This gap between principle and practice prompts a deeper inquiry into the foundational role of courage in living out these virtues consistently. It is a common adage that without courage, no other virtue can be practiced consistently. This idea suggests that courage is not merely one virtue among many, but rather the enabling force that underpins the whole spectrum of moral behavior. This essay seeks to explore the intricate relationship between courage and the practice of essential virtues, arguing that without courage, consistency in embodying qualities such as kindness, truth, mercy, generosity, and honesty becomes a challenging endeavor. While organizations frequently extol the virtues of these attributes, the practical application of such virtues in both human interactions and within the natural world remains a compelling subject for examination. This analysis aims not only to highlight the importance of courage in the practice of virtue but also to explore how both man and nature exemplify this dynamic, thus offering insights into the ways in which courage facilitates the consistent application of ethical principles across different contexts.

Courage stands as the foundational virtue upon which all others are built, acting as the bedrock for the manifestation of traits such as kindness, truthfulness, mercy, generosity, and honesty. Without courage, the consistency in practicing these virtues becomes unattainable, as courage is what enables individuals to uphold their principles in the face of adversity, challenge, and temptation. In the realm of human interaction, courage is what empowers a person to act kindly towards others even when it is met with hostility or indifference. It is the force that emboldens one to stand for truth, even when falsehoods may be more convenient or less dangerous. In the natural world, courage is mirrored in the survival instincts of creatures that, despite their vulnerabilities, face daily perils with resilience. For example, a mother bear defending her cubs against larger predators or a fragile seedling pushing through hard soil to reach the sunlight both exemplify courage in nature. These instances reflect an intrinsic understanding that courage is not merely a human virtue but a universal principle that underpins the existence and practice of all other virtues. Consequently, while many organizations and societies extol the virtues of kindness, truth, mercy, generosity, and honesty, the real measure of their commitment to these ideals lies in their cultivation of courage. Without fostering this fundamental virtue, the aspiration to live by other virtues remains a hollow endeavor, highlighting the critical need for courage as the cornerstone of ethical practice and moral integrity.

In exploring the intricate relationship between courage and the practice of essential virtues like kindness, truth, mercy, generosity, and honesty, it is evident that without courage, consistency in embodying these qualities becomes a challenging endeavor. Bleidorn and Denissen (2015) highlight that the very essence of virtue domains such as Wisdom and Courage lies in their interdependence; they argue that "consistency of virtuous behavior" across different contexts requires an unwavering commitment to act courageously (Bleidorn & Denissen, 2015). This assertion underscores how courage acts as a catalyst for maintaining integrity when expressing other virtues. For instance, kindness demands moral fortitude to persist even amid adversity or hostility. Similarly, truth necessitates the bravery to speak out against deceit or misinformation despite potential repercussions. Mercy entails forgiving others where retribution might seem justified, requiring a heart fortified with courageous compassion. Generosity involves selfless giving which often means prioritizing others' needs over one's own comfort—a decision rarely devoid of personal sacrifice. Lastly, honesty calls for transparency and authenticity in interactions where deceit could offer easier paths or greater immediate gains. Thus, in both organizational frameworks and natural ecosystems, sustained virtuous behavior can only truly flourish within environments where courage is actively cultivated and rewarded. By embedding this cardinal virtue into their core values and practices—as evidenced by research on character development—organizations can more authentically espouse virtues like kindness, truthfulness, mercy, generosity and honesty (Bleidorn & Denissen, 2015). This symbiotic relationship not only enriches human interactions but also aligns them with broader existential principles observed in nature.

In summary, the essence of virtue in its most genuine form cannot be detached from the indispensable role of courage. This essay has traversed the terrain of moral philosophy to underscore that courage is not merely an additional virtue but the critical linchpin that enables the consistent application of kindness, truth, mercy, generosity, and honesty. Through the lens of both human interactions and the natural world, we have observed that courage is the catalyst that empowers individuals and organisms alike to act according to their principles, despite the obstacles they may face. The examination of this relationship reveals that the disparity between the abstract celebration of virtues and their real-world enactment is fundamentally a question of courage. Organizations and societies that champion these virtues must, therefore, prioritize the cultivation of courage if they aspire to bridge this gap effectively. Without this foundational virtue, the pursuit of ethical living and moral integrity is akin to building on shifting sands. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let this insight serve as a compass, guiding us toward a more authentic and courageous practice of the virtues that enrich our lives and the world around us. In doing so, we not only honor these timeless ideals but also forge a path toward a future where the gap between principle and practice is finally closed, under the steadfast banner of courage.

Dr. Terry Jackson is Executive Advisor, Thought Leader Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coach, Top 10 Global Mentor, and Change Leadership Architect. Dr. Jackson partners with Executives and Organizations to align Strategy, People and Processes to optimize and sustain Peak Business Performance.

Work Cited: W Bleidorn, JJA Denissen Virtues in action–the new look of character traitshttps://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjop.12117