Semper Fidelis is Latin for “Always faithful.”

It became the motto of the Marines in 1883 and is often shortened to Semper Fi. It guides Marines to always be faithful to each other, the mission at hand, the corps and the country; no matter what. In the Marines Semper Fidelis is not merely a logo, brand messaging or motto rather its a way of life. It’s how they do business. It defines their culture, their team and their brotherhood.

So what are you ‘always faithful’ to?

And what might happen if you committed to Semper Fidelis as a way of doing life?

In business leaders develop vision statements, mission statements and articulate values the organization, company is committed to. I call these founding elements the constitution, the soul of the venture. What it believes and hopes to achieve. When vision, mission and values are aligned and embraced as the filter by which a team commits to make decisions culture develops and a unique way of being manifests.

As important as it is for a business to have a foundation and a clear constitution; vision, mission, values and operating beliefs it’s even more important that you and I demonstrate personal leadership by clearly identifying what we believe in and value, who we want to be. Because, as I am sure you are aware of by now the ole country song is true, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

So what is your personal constitution? Purpose, values, vision?

What are the primary operating beliefs you conduct your life by, make your decisions by?

What values and virtues are you ‘always faithful’ to?

Semper Fidelis. Always be faithful.

Sure it’s great you can recite your companies or business vision and values but what about your own?

Create a list, a visual filter or poster if need be to remind you of your own personal constitution. And afterwards don’t allow it to be mere personal branding or tweet material. Make it a way of life. Make it your primary business.

Semper Fidelis.

What are the beliefs you want to be faithful always too?

Ex: Joy is a choice. Family matters.

What are the things you most value; the characteristics, ideals you want to embody daily?

Ex: Courage, Humility, Generosity.

If you were to sum up your primary beliefs and values into a phrase, motto what would it be?

Is there an acronym you could create to help remember your values?

Pam Hoelzle

Get Unleashed: Make a life, not merely a living!

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photo credit Uploaded on February 17, 2007
by <robert joseph>