Is It Necessary?
“Pardon me while I go to the necessary room.”
That is a euphemism you can look up on your favorite search engine.
Some things are necessary in life. They are not luxuries, at least by our perspective. We have come to expect them as standard. We will not tolerate a life without them.
Some activities manifest themselves in a similar fashion
Some things are necessary. Some are not. Sometimes, the things that are not, tyrannize us into subjection.
Necessity may indeed be the mother of invention, but it has, at times, be the mother of injustice.
What is necessary?
To what end must we say, I must?”
William Pitt observed, “ Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
Pitt spoke as the ally of Wilberforce in their quest to end slavery in England. Against their efforts were all sorts of arguments including those of necessity.
“We have no other choice.”
“We must.”
“We have to protect ourselves.”
“We know it is wrong, but now is not the right time to correct things.”
“If we do this now, everything will collapse.”
There has never been a convenient time in history for doing the right thing. It has always been against the tide to stand for the rights of others. Liberty has never been practical. Freedom has never been feasible. Truth has seldom seemed profitable. Justice has never been easy. Light has never been appealing to those whose eyes have grown accustomed to the dark.
Our shortcuts can always be justified by expediency. In business, public affairs, and personal relationships, we can make our case for walking over other people and nations if we can establish that it is in pour best interest to do so.
When we do, we ultimately lose.
It is as if we have created a Greek god, named him “Necessarius,” and bowed to him without knowing he is no god at all and will keep none of his far reaching promises.
Learn to distinguish between necessary, not necessary, and, sometimes, outright wrong disguising itself as necessary.
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Only what is right and true and just and compassionate will last beyond the moment. All else is as fleeting as our notions of necessity.
So, what is the criteria for evaluating the three main questions?
Is it necessary?
Is it unnecessary?
Is it wrong?
That depends upon what drives you in life and leadership.
What are your values? What governs your decision making process
If you are clear about what is ultimately important, you will be able to lead yourself and others through the maze of necessity. You will hold up your choices against the backdrop of timeless principles and evaluate them based up those prime directives.
Ask
What does my personal moral compass
What does our mission statement
How can our corporate values
Is it fair?
Is it legal?
What do the best practices of our profession
Would I be ashamed for others to know about this choice and how I made it?
What counsel can I receive that will aid me in this?
Who can I include in the decision making process.
If you are not prepared for that exercise, the best and most necessary use of your time today, is to start getting ready.
“Pardon me while I go to the necessary room.”
If you would like to talk about this or something else, reach out.