CEO INSIGHT chivalric faith, a pledge always to be faithful to one’s promises no matter how big or small they were, and that’s a lesson that is equally applicable today. Keeping faith means battling onwards, no matter how hard the path is, and trusting yourself and those around you. I’ve honoured charity in its medieval form to give with no expectation of return. Thinking of what someone would really like or need and sharing it with them without condition. Thinking well of people – because most people are fundamentally good and decent. It’s important to remember that, especially under times of stress. As the company has grown, I’ve ensured we maintain a responsibility to risk mockery and disdain to take a stand on something that’s right, no matter how unpopular that stand may be. Justice is action to ensure that all members of society receive fair treatment. Following the code of temperance has meant an application of moderation across the board and a tenet by which various parts of my life can be kept in balance. This involves voluntary self-restraint in several areas: restraint from revenge by practising non-violence and forgiveness, restraint from arrogance by practising humility and modesty, and restraint from excesses by refusing to indulge in extravagant luxury. In essence, it involves restraining an excess of an impulse. Speaking your truth is particularly important when it comes to how you treat your colleagues. The actual way in which you relate to people is important. It’s important too that it’s kind and honest communication, in my opinion. People are different - not better or worse, obviously. We see this hugely today as new generations enter the workforce with entirely different priorities and values. Those contrasting temperaments complement each other and if you can’t resolve differences, approach it maturely. Honouring the code of resolution has been fundamental to the business’s success. There’s resolution meaning resolve and resilience, resolution meaning to decide or solve a problem, resolution meaning a promise to oneself, and resolution meaning the level of visible detail. They all come back to the same thing: leadership. As Gandalf says in The Lord of the Rings, ‘I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.’ To be chivalric does not necessarily mean to fight great monsters and combat vast evil. It means to live decently and try to help others. Although a code derived from a time hundreds of years ago, these are vitally important tenets that remain, both professionally and personally, key to being successful and happy. I could expand on the principles of sagacity, liberality, diligence, prudence, and hope, but I fear I may lose you. I will, however, end on the topic of valour and the need to be brave. This is one of the hardest things as a leader - making decisions knowing they could be wrong or not turn out as planned. As a jouster, I am fascinated by the concept of valour in battle and the principles apply just as much in a business sense. Is it necessary to take someone down to further your own desires? There’s a valour in refusing to bring someone down even when it costs you - and that is quite chivalrous. Leading the Rebellion is a new book by Jason Kingsley out in June.
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