subject: The Result of a Healthy Pride [print this page] The Result of a Healthy Pride The Result of a Healthy Pride
Independence Day; a day set aside for us to reflectand remember who and what we're most proud of as a nation, as families, and as individuals. Proud to live in America, "land of the free", "home of the brave." Proud to serve in America's armed forces and defend what we believe to be the greatest reward: Freedom! Proud to be associated with a certain family name, and torepresent that name everywhere around the globe. Now before we go too far let's define pride.
Pride In Yourself
Webster's II defines pride as 1."a sense of one's own proper value or dignity: self-respect. 2. Pleasure or satisfaction taken in one's work, achievements, or possessions."
So pride in yourself,"within the sense of proper value",can beempowering and liberating. In other words, when our actions are carried out in a manner that is helpful, encouraging, and beneficial to others,people become empowered, liberated, and useful, and achieve higher standards of conduct, improved performance, and personal excellence. This is a healthy pride.
On the other hand, according to most world religions, pride can also drive ustoward poor performance and personal failure,and is listed as one of the seven cardinal sins. Proverbs 16:18 reads "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This kind of pridedoes not think of othersfirst. It is a selfish pride with improper value and is unhealthy.
Pride in Your Profession
Pride also spills over into our work lives, directly affecting who we are within the boundaries of our professions.Weareproud to be in that profession and take the time to learn how to carry our responsibilities out in a mannerthat offersthe best of our profession to others.
Pride in Your Organization
Closely linked to these are the drivers of pride by the organization you serve. It is taking the responsibility to represent that which the organization stands for, and is most proud of, understanding that you are the organization and are always on stage.
So pride in yourself spills over into pride in your profession, and pride in your profession spills over into pride in your organization. This is what healthy pride looks like.
