Compromise Quote by Vivian Balakrishnan
“I was recruited by the former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. And I never forgot his key message to me when he was encouraging me to come in. He said: “You must hold fast to your values. If you have to compromise your values in order to join us, you lose your value to us.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Leadership Values, Vivian Balakrishnan, 2018
Holding fast to personal values is essential; compromising them for a role erodes both personal and organizational integrity.
In simple terms: Stay true to values; compromising them them.
Key Takeaway
Preserve integrity by aligning actions with core values.
Themes
integrity
values
leadership
ethics
personal responsibility
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
ethical
leadership
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- policy making
- team leadership
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
organizational culture
Questions to Reflect On
- When is compromise justified without losing integrity?
- How can leaders navigate value conflicts?
A Different Perspective
Rigid adherence may limit flexibility in complex situations.
