“True North” as a metaphor for a “moral compass” became popular in the 1990s, particularly in business and leadership contexts. It refers to a guiding principle or belief system that helps individuals and organizations stay on course ethically and morally, similar to how the North Star (Polaris) has been used historically for navigation due to its fixed position in the sky.
If strategy is considered the direction or the plan that guides actions, then conscience could be likened to the compass. Conscience is often seen as the inner sense of right or wrong, guiding one’s behavior and decisions based on moral principles. Just as a compass helps navigate physical direction, conscience can help navigate ethical and moral choices.
Calibration is crucial in both cases. Just as we must calibrate our compass to ensure it accurately points north, we must align our conscience with our values, beliefs, and ethical principles to guide us correctly. Calibration in this context involves introspection, interoception, self-awareness, and reflection to ensure that our moral compass is accurate and reliable in guiding our decisions and actions.
In this metaphor, a “vector” could represent the magnitude and direction of a particular moral or ethical influence or force. Just as a vector in physics has both magnitude and direction, a moral or ethical vector could represent the strength and direction of a particular moral or ethical principle or value in guiding one’s decisions and actions. For example, a person’s conscience might be influenced by various vectors, such as personal values, societal norms, and ethical teachings, all pointing in different directions and magnitudes.
Context is crucial because it provides our framework for making decisions and taking action. In the metaphor of strategy as direction and conscience as the compass, context would be akin to the environment or terrain in which navigation occurs. Different terrains require different navigational approaches, but alternative contexts require different moral considerations.
For example, a decision that might be considered morally right in one context could be viewed differently in another. Context can include factors such as cultural norms, legal requirements, organizational values, and the specific circumstances of a situation. Considering context helps ensure that moral decisions are not made in isolation but are responsive to real-world situational complexities.
Then, being attuned to the narratives, beliefs, values, and consciences of others are essential in the “True North” metaphor. Just as external magnetic fields influence a compass, the narratives, beliefs, values, and consciences of those around us can influence our moral compasses. These external influences can affect how we perceive and interpret moral principles and impact the direction in which our moral compass points.
Additionally, the narratives, beliefs, values, and consciences of others help shape the broader context in which we exercise moral choice. They contribute to the collective understanding of what constitutes “True North” regarding moral direction within a community, organization, or society. Therefore, considering and understanding these external influences is essential for individuals and organizations seeking to navigate their moral paths effectively.
Individuals may face moral dilemmas when the compass (conscience or ethical principles) and the terrain (context or circumstances) seem to be in conflict. These dilemmas occur when competing moral considerations or following one’s moral compass appears to lead to undesirable consequences given the context.
For example, imagine a situation where telling the truth (aligned with one’s moral compass) could harm someone due to the sensitive nature of the information and the current context. In such cases, individuals may need to carefully consider and balance the dictates of their conscience with the demands of the situation, taking into account the potential consequences of their actions. One comedian quipped, “If Anne Frank is in your attic, it’s probably okay to evade revealing that to the SS troopers at your door.”
In navigating these conflicts, individuals may seek to find a middle ground or compromise that upholds their core values while also recognizing the complexities of the context. They may also seek guidance from ethical frameworks, moral principles, or trusted advisors to help them make morally sound decisions given the circumstances.
True North, a constant polar position, metaphorically or not, is a fixed position. How we travel toward it is necessitated by our current position, the intended time of arrival, and the obstacles between the two positions. Those obstacles can include our limitations. Whether by land, sea, or air, direction and route are distinct concepts.
- Direction typically refers to the general path or orientation one is heading towards, often represented by a compass direction (north, south, etc.) or a broader goal or objective.
- Route, conversely, refers to the specific path or course taken to reach a destination. It involves the steps or actions one takes to move in a particular direction.
In the context of the metaphor, “strategy as direction and conscience as the compass,” direction would be akin to the overarching goal or objective (the “True North” of one’s moral compass). At the same time, the moral and ethical route would be the specific actions or decisions that align with that direction based on one’s conscience.
“The map is not the territory” is a phrase often used in semantics and communication theory, popularized by the philosopher Alfred Korzybski. It means that a representation (the map) is an abstraction of reality (the territory) and can never fully capture the complexity and richness of the actual experience or phenomenon.
In the context of this metaphor, this phrase emphasizes that our disposition, process models, beliefs, and understanding of moral principles (the “map”) are interpretations of reality and may not always perfectly align with the genuine moral complexities of a situation (the “territory”). Just as a map simplifies and abstracts the features of a landscape, our moral compass and understanding are simplifications of the ethical challenges we face. Therefore, it’s essential to recognize the limitations of our moral frameworks and remain open to refining our comprehension based on new information and experiences.
We could continue with this metaphor all day and embellish it with theory, sprinkling references to the many books and articles written on True North and the moral compass as a life’s strategy for leaders and followers alike.
This brief recap may prove helpful in reminding us of the value of forethought and training in decision-making with our hearts, minds, and spirits in advance of those pivotal moments in our lives and those around us.
________
Copyright © 2024 — Rob Jones, CEO, IngoodCompany LLC
