We’ve always believed that forming a strategy is impossible until you’re clear on what your values and principles are. Without values and principles to guide you, making decisions can seem impossibly difficult. Given how important setting values and principles is to decision making we asked folks we admire to tell us about the values or principles that matter most to them.

Barry Keenan | Founding Member Of The Rock Band, Invisible Poet Kings/Singer/Songwriter/Solo Recording Artist

Honesty. Because in order to do good in this world, which is very, very important to me, you have to make honest choices, not just with the people you are dealing with or the people you espouse your philosophy and beliefs to, but more importantly, being honest with yourself. How can anybody present a positive outlook on life without understanding the honesty in their values and who they really are? Nobody is perfect, certainly not me. However, being good takes discipline. It’s easy to be bad. As we grow, we can choose either. Of course no one can be one or the other all the time. But as I look around me, unfortunately I see a tremendous amount of dishonesty. I can go into why I think that is so, but for the sake of this interview, suffice to say it’s my opinion. Honesty is important. Dishonesty ruins lives, cultures and civilization as a whole. Read more>>

Lisa Luckett | Founder/CEO Cozmeena Enlightened Living–Certified Coach, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur

Honesty. I believe honesty is at the root of everything. From honesty comes trust. From trust comes credibility. One of the most valuable assets in business (and personal lives) is our credibility. Credibility is the bridge that allows us to do business with those we may not like but we can trust. Foundational honesty allows us to build valuable relationships at all levels both personally and professionally. Read more>>

Dionne Woods | Artist & Business Coach for Creatives

Not only in my personal life but professionally, too, I highly value integrity and loyalty. It’s so important to build relationships that are framed on a strong foundation. Read more>>

Marc Truelove | The Splatter Artist

The value that matters the most to me is hard work. Growing up I learned this value from working for my father while pushing a lawnmower in the heat of summer in Texas. I use this value with my art career today by painting, cataloging, art festivals, marketing and so much more. Just keep working hard. Read more>>

Heath Fewell | Photographer & Blogger

One of the strongest principles that I try to stand behind is staying true to myself. In today’s day and age, it’s hard to not get caught up in the ideas and success that is portrayed online by others. Social media can be detrimental to one’s self-perception. These people had to start somewhere and their success has grown over the years. PEOPLE ONLY POST THEIR SUCCESS, NOBODY POSTS THEIR DOWNFALLS. I try to remind myself to stay true to the ideas and creativity that I love and try not to rush the success that will come in the near future. When focusing on the present, the success may be hard to spot, but when taking a step back and looking at where I started, I have come to far. That is something that I will never forget and will be a constant reminder to never give up. Read more>>