Modern Compass Newsletter

Hello there,

I’m writing this issue a week early to get it scheduled before heading out on a Disney World trip, but it will be hitting your inbox right on schedule! These next couple months I’m heavily focusing on what is Character, how I want to approach and define it within Modern Compass, and how to make it more approachable. I’ve never felt that connected to the term character, it’s always felt just a little elusive to me and something that didn’t feel all that tangible. However, after a lot of initial research early last year, that is what became 4th and final compass direction of the Modern Compass framework. Fitting then, Character is also the last group of chapters to write to complete an initial first pass of this book.

Some say character is values and traits, some its your grit and determination, others its your virtues and morals. One example states, you are born with X trait and y trait and that’s what you’ve got, make the most of those. Another example may state that your actions are good, so you have good character. All of these descriptions are ok in some ways or another, but for me, those either didn’t provide a practical way to approach it or felt like they didn’t allow agency to change and grow.

Here's what connected some dots for me: character isn't something you just have, it's something you develop. Character is the product you display to the world through actions, effort, and lived experiences. While our Character is always on display whether we like it or not, the refinement of that product greatly depends on the effort put into understanding and developing Character, along with growth in the rest of your compass including self, relationships, and trust.. Character in Modern Compass, similar to the other compass directions are built through 4 progressive layers, starting from the bottom up. I think you’ll find that this progression has always been there, I’m just giving more language to it.

Environmental: The actions shaped by what your environment installed in you. You're displaying what you absorbed, not always what you chose.

Example: Something doesn't go your way. You react the way you were wired or learned to. Often this could resort to blame, spiral, quit, or bulldoze. Whatever you saw modeled, you repeat.

Developed: You're taking action against inherited scripts and doubling down on the ones that feel right for you. Creating new patterns through deliberate effort that didn't exist in your environmental programming.

Example: Something doesn't go your way. You catch the old reaction and choose differently. Pause, assess what's in your control, respond with intention.

Authentic: Clear patterns emerge through your actions and where effort is placed over time, how much time depends on your consistency. These patterns reveal your identity, who you actually are based on the actions you take, where you spend your time and effort, and what you're willing to fight for. Here, your actions align with your internal understanding of you to create a powerful version of yourself.

Example: Something doesn't go your way. Handling setbacks with composure is just who you are now. You've built that through consistent practice.

Driven: Your actions point outward, toward something bigger than yourself. You're consistently taking actions or putting forth effort that serves beyond your own comfort or success.

Example: Something doesn't go your way. You see it as a chance to model resilience for others. Your response is shaped by what you're demonstrating, not just how you're feeling.

One thing that must run through all four layers: integrity. At every layer, ask yourself - are the people around me better or worse off because of my Character? You can't progress without answering this honestly.

Character stops being abstract when you understand the four layers describe where your actions come from. You're always displaying character, the question is which layer you're operating from.

Interactive Activity

In place of an activity this month, I'm offering some reflection prompts on this topic and seeking your feedback.

Did this topic or activity spark any insights for you? I’d love to hear how it landed! Share your thoughts here: Survey Link

Modern Compass Book Updates

Over the holiday break, I finally finished the lengthy Loyalty chapter. I luckily had one full day to myself before kids were out of school and no kidding, I was holed up 8am-4pm in my office finishing that chapter. I’m glad I did that because the next 2 weeks I would get nothing else written, although there were plenty of brainstorming commutes in the mix. Some of what you see here on Character is from the intro chapter on Character which would go deeper in book, and then 4 full chapters on each layer.

Always…Follow Your Compass

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