The Rosewood Blog

When you know your vision, mission, and core values, you can make good decisions quickly. At Rosewood, we call these Root Statements. The first step in knowing your roots is to discover and clarify what they are. In the two previous Confidence in Crisis articles, we discussed Vision and Mission. Today, we will dive into Core Values. As a reminder, here are the definitions for each of the three Roots.

Have you ever heard someone say, “You need to know where you’re going if you ever want to get there?” It’s the truth. Two weeks ago, we talked about building a strong foundation to stand on by “knowing your roots”. This week, we want to take a step forward— discussing how to craft a vision statement. When you know your roots and have a vision statement, you’ll be anchored securely and moving steadily forward.

“I do not know the man!” he said, cursing and swearing. As he kicked a gray coal back into the fire, he suddenly felt eyes on him. He heard a rooster crowing. Was Peter a shallow man? I don’t think so, but he was human just like we are. He faced uncertainty, frustration and failure. Peter was impulsive and quick to speak. Was this a negative trait? Maybe, but Peter was a man who knew his roots. He was grounded. He was a strong and stable person.

Historians give Winston Churchill high grades as a leader in crisis. Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the beginning of World War II. In his speech to the House of Commons, he didn’t proclaim that he had all the answers. He said the following: I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”

You may have heard one or more versions of The Hot Dog Vendor Fable. It’s worth repeating at this moment in history.* Joe was your average Joe. As a young father, he bootstrapped his way into success with a street corner hotdog stand. But then he made a critical mistake. Actually, a very common mistake. A mistake that you and I are at risk of making this very moment.