Why Honor, Courage, and Virtue Still Matter in Leadership Today

True leaders, like warriors, stand firm in their values, face adversity with courage, and lead with honor no matter the challenge ahead.

True leadership isn’t about power or prestige—it’s about character, conviction, and the ability to stand firm in your values, even when it’s difficult. In the movie Secondhand Lions, Uncle Hub’s belief that “honor, courage, and virtue are everything” isn’t just a nostalgic ideal—it’s a principle that has shaped the world’s greatest leaders. His words in The Speech from Secondhand Lions reflect a lifetime of experience—battle-tested wisdom earned through hardship, sacrifice, and a deep understanding of what truly matters.

But living by these values requires more than good intentions. It demands self-awareness—the ability to reflect on your actions, recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and ensure your decisions align with your principles. Leaders who lack self-awareness often drift away from their values, making compromises they never intended. Those who take the time to evaluate themselves develop the clarity to lead with honor, act with courage, and uphold virtue, even when the world pushes against them.

Honor: The Foundation of Leadership

Honor isn’t about reputation or recognition—it’s about the internal commitment to doing what’s right, no matter the cost. Merriam-Webster defines honor as “adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct.” But in reality, honor goes beyond convention—it’s about having an internal code that guides your decisions, even when no one is watching.

Uncle Hub didn’t just talk about honor—he lived it. As a soldier in the French Foreign Legion, his life was built on discipline, loyalty, and integrity. When he mentors Walter, he teaches him that honor isn’t something you claim—it’s something you prove through your actions. This is where self-awareness plays a critical role.

Leaders who lack self-awareness may believe they are acting with honor, but without reflection, it’s easy to justify small compromises that eventually erode integrity. Mosquera (2013) highlights that honor is a powerful social and cultural force, shaping how individuals think, feel, and behave. But it starts internally. Leaders who consistently reflect on their values and hold themselves accountable set the standard for others to follow.

Why Honor Still Matters in Leadership:

✔ It builds trust and credibility. People follow leaders who are principled, not just powerful.

✔ It fosters accountability. Leaders who hold themselves to a higher standard inspire others to do the same.

✔ It stands the test of time. Trends shift, but honor remains the foundation of strong leadership.

Courage: The Strength to Act When It Matters Most

Courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about standing firm despite fear. The best leaders aren’t the ones who never feel doubt or uncertainty—they’re the ones who act with conviction, even when the stakes are high.

Merriam-Webster defines courage as the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Uncle Hub’s life was defined by courage—not just in battle, but in his willingness to keep moving forward, even after losing everything. He teaches Walter that courage isn’t just about grand acts of heroism—it’s about making the right choices when they’re hard.

Self-awareness plays a key role here. Many leaders believe they are courageous, yet when faced with adversity, they hesitate, avoid conflict, or choose comfort over conviction. Courage isn’t just about taking action—it’s about recognizing fear and pushing through it with purpose. Leaders who reflect on their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and train themselves to act despite uncertainty develop true, unwavering courage.

Why Courage is Essential for Leadership:

✔ It fuels decisive action. Leadership is about making the hard calls, not the easy ones.

✔ It creates resilience. Leaders who embrace adversity grow stronger from it rather than being broken by it.

✔ It inspires others. When a leader stands strong, their team follows.

Virtue: The Measure of True Strength

Virtue is the glue that holds honor and courage together. It’s about living by a higher standard, even when it’s inconvenient. A leader with virtue doesn’t seek power for self-interest—they use it to serve something greater.

Despite his gruff demeanor, Uncle Hub was a man of virtue. He lived by an internal code that prioritized loyalty, justice, and moral strength over personal gain. He understood that without virtue, power becomes dangerous, and without integrity, leadership becomes hollow.

Self-awareness is what keeps virtue intact. Leaders who regularly reflect on their choices ensure that their actions align with their beliefs. Without self-reflection, even well-intentioned leaders can find themselves compromising values in pursuit of success. But those who maintain awareness of their guiding principles build legacies of integrity and respect.

Why Virtue Defines Great Leadership:

✔ It creates consistency. A leader’s principles shouldn’t change based on convenience.

✔ It separates great leaders from opportunists. Titles fade, but character endures.

✔ It ensures leadership is a force for good. Influence without virtue is a danger, not an asset.

Great leaders, like knights, uphold their code—honor, courage, and virtue—leading with integrity and standing strong in the face of adversity.

Why Honor, Courage, and Virtue Matter More Than Ever in Leadership

Some may argue that values like honor, courage, and virtue in leadership are outdated relics of a bygone era—that today’s world rewards adaptability over principle. But history tells a different story. When leaders lack honor, trust erodes. When leaders lack courage, teams suffer. When leaders lack virtue, organizations crumble.

Uncle Hub understood something fundamental: hard times will always come, and the world will always need those willing to stand strong in the face of them. His message isn’t just a lesson for Walter—it’s a challenge to all of us.

Are we living by a code of honor, or are we following the crowd? Are we leading with courage, or backing down when things get tough? Are we committed to virtue, or do we compromise when no one is looking?

Final Thoughts: Leadership is a Choice

Uncle Hub’s speech is more than just words—it’s a call to action. If we want to see better leadership in our world, we must first become better leaders ourselves.

Honor, courage, and virtue aren’t just ideals; they are choices—choices that shape who we are, how we lead, and what we leave behind. The question isn’t whether these values still matter. The question is: Are you willing to live by them?

About Me

I coach Veterans, executives, and professionals to master self-leadership as the foundation for leading others effectively. As a U.S. Army Special Forces Veteran, I bring a balanced, performance-driven approach that integrates self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and holistic wellness. Through transformational change strategies and mental performance techniques, I help individuals operate with clarity and resilience — both in high-pressure environments and in everyday life.

Let's connect: jay@commandperformancecoaching.com

Transformational Life and Leadership Coach