Don’t Be Afraid To Stand Your Ground

We all have moments when we wish we had acted differently. Sometimes, we feel pressured or want to avoid conflict.

However, not standing up for our values can lead to regret and let others take advantage of us.

That’s why I want to talk to you about the importance of standing your ground and how it can lead to self-respect and respect from others.

The Importance of Standing Your Ground

Think back to a time when you wanted to speak up but didn’t. You left wishing you had said something that showed your true beliefs.

Many of us know this feeling. Whether you were a child, teenager, or adult, there are times we didn’t stand up for ourselves.

These moments can change how we see ourselves and how others see us.

A Personal Experience

In the corporate world, I managed wellness programs across 22 states and understood the relevant laws.

One day, an executive called me and said, “Gene, I need you to attend the meeting scheduled today at 3 pm”

This meeting caught me by surprise because until she mentioned it, I was unaware of it. I responded to her by saying, “Ok, I will be there.”

Then I reached out to Bret, one of my colleagues who was in his late 30s and had the same position as myself and asked, “Are you going to be at the meeting today at 3 pm?” “What meeting?”

He asked, confused. “I’m not sure. I was told we had a meeting.” “No one told me, let me ask what this meeting is about.”

Bret reached out to the executive that told me about the meeting to attend a meeting. He called me and said, “Gene, I’m not required to go to the meeting.”

I reached out to the other 7 colleagues who held my same position, and they all said the same.

The situation seemed confusing to me, and I wondered if they were planning to fire me and simply asked me to attend a meeting to be escorted out the door.

I nervously waited until 3 p.m., and when it was 5 minutes until the meeting was set to start, I walked to Dorothy’s office, my clinical specialist, who was in her mid-40s and responsible for us maintaining our wellness licenses and managing our coaching programs.

The moment I walked in the door, she said cautiously, “Gene, close the door, and what I am about to say, don’t tell anyone I said it.

The reason you are in this meeting by yourself is that our sales executive sold a children’s program to a major corporation seven months ago in order to make his quota.

As you know, we don’t offer children’s programs, nor do we have the legal structure to conduct one.

Instead of just telling the company what the executive did, they have been trying to do a program so they don’t have to pay the money back.

Some executives looked into your background and saw that you are a certified physical education teacher, so they figured they could get you to coach the kids in the program while we build the program.”

“Dorothy, we both know that is illegal, and if I were to coach the kids and something happened, I would be to blame.”

“I know, Gene; that is why I recommend you refuse to do the program.”

Facing Pressure

When I returned to my cubicle, the executive called me and asked, “Gene, are you ready to take the first client for the program?”

I firmly replied, “I’m not doing that program.” The executive responded, “We are paying you, so you have to do the program.”

At that moment, I had to decide; either stand my ground or give in to the executive’s pressure.

I said, “I refuse to coach anyone’s child in that illegal program. We don’t have any documentation in place that aligns with relevant laws, nor anything to protect me if something goes wrong.

This corporation only has programs in place for those 18 and older, so I refuse to compromise my willingness to obey the law. You can fire me if you want to.”

In the end, my refusal caused the company to cancel the program.

They admitted their mistake and refunded the money. This happened because I stood my ground.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson; when faced with pressure to compromise your beliefs, you have two choices.

You can either stand your ground or allow others to take advantage of you. The choice is yours, but remember that standing up for what you believe in will earn you respect from both yourself and others. 

How to Stand Your Ground

Standing your ground can be challenging, especially when facing pressure. Here are some strategies to help you assert your beliefs effectively:

• Know Your Values: Clearly define what you stand for. Understanding your values will give you the strength to defend them.

• Communicate Clearly: When faced with pressure, state your position calmly and confidently. Use “I” statements to express how you feel.

• Stay Calm: In heated situations, emotions can run high. Take a deep breath and approach the conversation with a level head.

• Be Prepared for Resistance: Understand that not everyone will agree with you. Prepare yourself for push-back and remain strong in your beliefs.

• Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who share your values. They can offer encouragement and reinforce your resolve.

Stand Your Ground

In life, you will encounter situations that challenge your values and beliefs. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and give in to pressure.

However, standing your ground is essential for maintaining your integrity and self-worth. So stand your ground because You Are WORTHY TO BE GREAT!