The Higher Ground Life is the operating system I wish every leader had from day one.
It starts with values that drive every decision you make—non-negotiable principles that create unbreakable bonds and guide your every move. These aren’t posters on the wall; they’re the compass and glue that keep your team, customers, and partners aligned through firestorms and windfalls. It’s not about surviving the next quarter—it’s about sustained performance through aligned teams that execute faster, innovate bolder, and stay longer because they believe in the mission.
You lead with deliberate clarity: every decision, every change, every pivot is stress-tested against one question—“Does this strengthen or weaken trust?” You forge strategic relationships that don’t just move product—they multiply value. Loyal customers become advocates. Talented people become owners. Partners become co-creators.
And in the end, you don’t just run a profitable company—you build a resilient institution that delivers consistent returns, attracts top talent, and leaves stakeholders—internal and external—better off than when you started. Trusting relationships are your greatest asset—they outlast transactions, outlive trends, and transform both you and your company.
What is the Higher Ground Life?
The essence of living a higher ground life lies in cultivating trusting relationships. These relationships are not haphazard occurrences but deliberate investments that require nurturing over time. They form the bedrock of human achievement and liberty by fostering trust. When trust is established, we can collaborate without the constant fear of betrayal, exploitation, or deceit.
Earning trust comes by living out five time-tested building blocks that serve as the foundation for building and sustaining all meaningful relationships. Among these, the magic of Connection stands out—the moment trust stops being transactional and becomes transformational.
Competency
Competence measures the ability to deliver on what you say. Can you achieve what you promise to those around you? Without competence it is impossible to wade into the deeper waters of meaningful relationship building. Competence is comprised of both functional ingredients—preparedness, grasp of skills, proficiency AND emotional ingredients—empathy, social responsibility, adaptability.
Consistency.
Consistency answers the question, “am I dependable?” You can’t measure trust episodically. If you’re inconsistent, those around you tend to withdraw from the relationship rather than draw closer. Showing up in a consistent manner requires commitment and a high-level of perseverance.
Candor.
Are you honest? Are your communications transparent? Candor is the measure of how others perceive your genuineness and openness. A lack of communication creates uneasiness in relationships. Authenticity is critically important in building trust.
Concern.
Concern is a measure of how you demonstrate that you care. It’s one thing to be competent and consistent in your performance, but if you don’t take time to show you care about others you’ll fall short in cementing meaningful relationships. Concern is most evident when you choose to go above and beyond what’s expected.
Connection.
Connection represents the most potent of all the behaviors required to build and transform meaningful relationships.
It is a measure of the depth of commitment, sacrifice, acceptance and reciprocity demonstrated in the relationships you value most. It signals the full realization of of trust. The most sustainable relationships are those that are authentically built on a foundation of shared common values.