So far in the Promise, we are asking our teachers to be honest, give accurate information, treat us with respect, and be mindful and protective of our emotional health. So far, so simple, right? These are basic values that one would hope anyone in authority would be willing to employ.
The fifth value in our SEEK Safely Promise is INTEGRITY.
The leader will provide personal witness by living the program being taught.
Now we ask our teachers to Walk their Talk.
“Walk the talk” is an expression which is often said in combination with “talk the talk”, or “if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to be willing to walk the walk.” In other words, practice what you preach. This concept is not a new one and there are many sayings that represent the idea: “talk is cheap” or “actions speak louder than words” or “put your money where your mouth is” or “put up or shut up.” In the US, people not practicing what they are preaching are accused of “talking a good game;” in the UK , the expression used to describe such a person is “all mouth and no trousers.” It’s obvious that integrity is a much-valued characteristic. However you say it, people expect the teacher to live the lessons they are teaching. If the information and knowledge is truly important, helpful, life changing, maybe even transformational, then the teacher or leader should also strive to live the same lessons that he/she teaches. While we recognize that even the best teacher is human and makes mistakes, he should nevertheless be the foremost example of the program he is trying to convince you will change your life. Leaders need to model the life lessons they impart to others. There are many leaders in the self-help world that do this. There are others that don’t, which makes you wonder how strongly they believe in what they are selling. So to all the great leaders and teachers that practice with integrity, make a public statement of intent by signing the SEEK SAFELY PROMISE. Let your consumers know that you, however imperfectly, work hard to walk your talk. Consumers, ask your teacher to sign the PROMISE and remember that you have a right to expect your teacher to act with personal integrity… after all, as the expression goes: “what’s good for the goose, is good for the gander,” right?
