Every one of us has “moments of truth.” Think about how sad it is that most humans vividly remember theirs because they have so few.
Moments of truth build or break you. They cannot be neutral. Virtue is built when we STAND in such moments. Bad habits are built the same way. It’s really that simple.
Last week a young leader broke a bad habit. He confronted the head of his system with the truth in LOVE. His habit has been to say nothing. He’s been beaten down by words and body language. Last week, he stood. He gave his leader the gift of a lifetime, the unvarnished truth in LOVE. He created a moment of truth for both of them.
Here’s the really cool part. It does NOT matter how the head of the system responds. Virtue is built by your action, not by others reaction. Isn’t that so cool and so freeing.
The young leader stood, broke a bad habit, began to build a new one, built virtue within, esteemed himself, gained clarity, conviction, and confidence, all while searing the moment permanately in his mind. This was REAL, HARD, WORK.
The next time it will be a little bit easier. The tenth time it will begin to feel less laborious and clunky. By the hundredth time, he won’t have to think and it will feel almost natural. After a thousand repetitions, it will become a habit of the heart. It will become second nature. This is how virtuous leaders are built. Slowly. By choice. In moments that matter.
Moments of truth build or break you. Other people, tough situations, bad breaks, and even your worst enemies, not so much.
God, help me notice more of my moments of truth. And, help me understand that my actions are virtue or vice in the making, not how others react.
God, help me…
BUILT TO LEAD 
AND… the moments of truth that have broke you in the past, do not define you today. In fact they can be the moments that build you stronger today. Revisiting those moments, breaking them down and facing the past is REALLY HARD WORK, truly painful. However, when you have done the work, you will find trUst and COuRagE.
Instead of that voice in your head that says, “Remember that moment of truth that broke you, you are weak and always will be.” The voice becomes, “You’ve been through some tough shit, you’ve worked your ass off to learn from them and now you are stronger.”
Good shit, young frickin’ D. Your acts of courage have built you. You are now stronger in your CORE. Where you been, btw…