A friend’s email just reminded me of Benjamin Franklin’s words to his fellow signers of the Declaration of Independence.  “We must hang together, or we shall surely hang separately,” opined Franklin following the Continental Congress approval of the Declaration.  Franklin’s words conveyed a literal meaning in that signing the Declaration was treason according to King George III and therefore punishable by death.  Since that time, “hanging together” has kept America strong.   Adolf Hitler, Nikita Khruschev and, more recently, Osama bin Laden, proclaimed that America’s diverse ethnicities and creeds would result in disunity in the face of adversity.  They missed the real source of America’s unity.

Sadly, most leaders miss the opportunity to unite the people in the organizations they lead by articulating a set of values and explaining in a compelling way why they are important. Thomas Jefferson did just that when he penned the words that certain rights are inalienable including the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

If you are looking for a compelling example of a leader who articulated values that unite people, take a look at the Montpellier Command Philosophy on pages 55-60 of Fired Up or Burned Out.  It’s one of the best I’ve seen. 

If you are aware of a leader who has written an inspiring explanation of organizational values, would you please post about it or email me at mstallard@epluribuspartners.com. I’m looking for more examples to include in my next book. 

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