Core Values are beliefs that can guide us toward courageous behavior and provide a moral foundation for decision-making. They foster clarity and assurance in the face of uncertainty. A deep alignment between actions and beliefs generates a strong sense of purpose and resolve. It can weaken the paralyzing grip of fear and give a Seeker the strength to take brave action despite potential adversity. Keepers can play a powerful role by reminding Seekers to base their responses to risk on what matters most. Keepers can also help Seekers recognize their core values so that they can use them as an anchor to what really matters.

Rick Becker teaches Saint Mary’s College nursing students to act on their core values. Rick emphasizes to the students that when they enter the health care arena, they will be confronted with situations that confront what is core to them. There may be situations when a nurse says, “I know this doesn’t seem right.” Value conflicts emerge in many ways. Nurses may not be consulted when appropriate. They may not be permitted to do what they believe is important. They may even be asked to do things that feel wrong to them. The temptation is to let it go. Rick helps them see that when they do that, they’ve bracketed their work and kept it separate from their core identity and values. This leads to moral distress because, eventually, they either become morally numb or reach a crisis.

Rick emphasizes to his students that they are moral agents who can make choices based on their core values and then act on them. Exercising moral agency means not only deciding what is right or wrong, but also acting on those decisions consistently. Living our core values can free us up to be more vulnerable and act.

When we choose to lean into our convictions rather than shrink away from discomfort, we transform our daily labor into a profound expression of character. This commitment to moral agency does more than just solve a dilemma; it ignites a resilient inner light that shields us from burnout and apathy. By bridging the gap between who we are and what we do, we don’t just survive the challenges of our professions—we master them with a sense of integrity that is both unshakeable and contagious.

Next Steps:

• Can you recall a specific moment in your professional life where you thought, “I know this doesn’t seem right”? How did you respond, and looking back, what core value was being challenged?
• Rick Becker speaks about “bracketing” work away from identity. In what areas of your current role do you feel most tempted to leave your personal values at the door, and what would it look like to “lean in” instead?

• If you were to act with full moral agency tomorrow, what is one small, courageous action you would take to better align your work with your beliefs?

This article is an excerpt from Courage Keepers: A Guide to Brave Leadership and Inspiring Bold Action in Others, available on September 17, 2026.