Balancing Your Values and Integrity in a Noisy World
Introducing the Blog: A Space for Thought and Discussion
This blog has been on my mind for quite some time. It takes courage to put ideas out there, but I’m excited to share this new platform with all of you. More importantly, I encourage you to reach out if you have thoughts or ideas you’d like to contribute. This is a space for all of us—to share, reflect, and start conversations on topics that matter.
Whether it’s a deep discussion or just a passing thought, this platform is here for us to empower each other. Let’s keep our community thriving through open and meaningful exchanges. And let me be clear—I am not a “grammar hammer,” so please don’t worry about perfection. It’s the ideas that count. But I will admit with full transparency, Chat GPT did assist me a little and will continue to do so moving forward as spelling and grammar are not my strong suit 🙂 This is a space for growth, not for criticism. We are here to support, not harm, and while some topics may be heavy, they are meant to inspire and guide us as we navigate our careers and lives.
Let’s dive in.
A Fly on the Wall: Observing Integrity in Dance and Leadership
Being a silent observer, a “fly on the wall,” is an incredibly powerful way to gain knowledge—if you listen carefully. Over the years, I have overheard conversations in the dance world that made me question whether the words being spoken truly aligned with the speaker’s core integrity and values. Too often, it seems external pressures and influences steer people away from what they genuinely believe.
This raises a critical question: are we leading with our true values, or are we being led by something else—perhaps logic over intuition, or fear over conviction? That’s a topic for another discussion, but for now, let’s focus on the importance of sticking to our beliefs.
Every dancer, teacher, mentor, and studio owner I’ve encountered has chosen this life because it’s who they are. Dance is not just something we do—it’s something we are. Saying I am a dancer or I am a dance teacher carries a very different weight than simply saying I teach or I dance. I am speaks to identity and integrity.
When we hold firm to our core values, they become unquestionable. But knowing these values before embarking on any journey is key. Discovering them after the fact can leave room for insecurity, making us vulnerable to external pressures. It sounds simple, right? Some might argue that it’s not, but it truly is—because it’s a choice. When you trust that inner feeling of being on the right path, the challenge is to stay the course and remain courageous.
Balancing Business and Integrity
Running a dance studio—or any business—requires juggling many responsibilities, including handling clients (gulp… parents!). Just because someone pays for a service does not necessarily make them an expert in what they’ve paid for. In many cases, those who contribute financially often have the most opinions but the least education on the subject.
Society has placed an enormous weight on the power of money, often equating financial contribution with authority. But should we let financial concerns dictate our values? We need to keep the lights on, yes, but not at the cost of our integrity. The key is to establish and uphold our values from the very beginning—because once compromised, integrity becomes difficult to reclaim.
This is the balance we often struggle with. However, we must remember that dance, as an art form, is built on integrity. It has shaped cultures and inspired generations. We, as educators and leaders, have the opportunity to teach more than just steps—we have the power to instill courage, respect, and integrity in both our students and their parents. These life skills extend far beyond the studio and stage. Lets not forget… Balance is not about yielding or making concessions; it’s about aligning your actions with your core beliefs while gracefully managing life’s complexities. When you lead with integrity, you empower yourself to make decisions that resonate with who you are, creating a legacy of trust, respect, and authentic leadership. Authentic leadership starts with self-awareness and the courage to stand by your convictions, even when it’s difficult. By keeping your values at the forefront from the very beginning, you set a powerful example. Integrity is more than a personal trait—it’s the cornerstone of leadership that builds lasting trust and inspires others.
Staying True to Our Values
The moment we give in to external opinions that conflict with our core beliefs—whether to avoid conflict or to appease the masses—we risk losing ourselves. I’ve been guilty of this before. But there’s always a way forward—a way to uphold our values while still respecting external perspectives. I’ve seen firsthand that when we stand firm in our beliefs, people gravitate toward us. We just have to trust the process.
So as we move forward, let’s do so with gratitude and courage. Let’s show our students, our clients, and our peers who we are and, more importantly, why we do what we do.
Build a house filled with values and integrity, and people will come—not only to learn but to take pride in being part of something meaningful. It may take time, but they will come. And when they do, they will know they are part of something truly special.
In the words of the great Clark Terry – Keep on Keepin on
With love, Ryan,
Balance – To offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another.
