Moral compass meaning – How can you find yours?

Humans are social beings, and how they act sets them apart from other animals. Humans have the brains to think, and no person ever acts the same. While some may try to conform to societal values leaving their own, others have a rigid orientation of the self. Also known as a moral compass, it is the person’s thought process and perception of a particular event that they use to differentiate between right and wrong.

moral compass definition
A person’s image of their self is important for personal development

Also termed hedonism, moral sense, conscience, and scruples, the moral compass meaning stands strong in an individual satisfied with their inner self. A realization of self-worth is the biggest driving force in a moral compass. It makes people stand for a cause and fulfill their duties with the utmost integrity.

Traits of a person with a high moral compass

External factors have a role to play in shaping family values, love for culture, religion, and faith in God. Moral compass grew from thy self. As already discussed, it is how the person sees themselves and decides to react. A person with a high moral compass never shies away from putting up his views, even if they are at odds with society. Let’s move forward to discover the traits of a person with a high moral compass:

  • They have a unique sense of right and wrong. And will never conform to a rule just because society wants them to.
  • These people are highly motivated and have a clear picture of “self” in their minds.
  • They differentiate between right and wrong based on their understanding of the world and not under external influence.
  • Also, these people make great leaders. In the past, such personalities have already ruled the globe.
  • Moreover, a person with a high compass can focus on the big picture and not give up easily.

What is the importance of a moral compass?

People think of moral compass and ethics as the same by mistake. There is more to that, and a fine line differentiates the two. On the other hand, both terms have connections between them. It is often that ethics and vice-versa guide a person’s moral compass.

To be precise, a person can overview dishonesty and stay silent because of their ethics. On the other hand, the moral compass makes them acknowledge right and wrong. The latter will never give up on dishonesty and will always stand for a cause.

Moral compass and leadership
The life experience of a person helps them develop a sense of true self

Moving forward, let’s learn about its importance:

  • Leaders and social warriors have a high moral compass. Their sense of integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and responsibility makes all the difference.
  • These people are aware of societal pressures but always judge a situation by its positive/negative attributes.
  • The higher the moral compass in a person is, the better they will be able to bring change and low down crime rates, societal conflicts, and communal violence.
  • Though the concept is subject to change, it will never let a person say yes to the wrongdoings around.

How to find and fine-tune your moral compass?

If you are wondering, “where is my moral compass?” it is not something that you will be able to see. It takes time and years of experience to come close to their moral compass finally. Also, one can decide to activate their moral compass all by themselves. Here are a few things to consider while you are on the journey to the same:

Focus on creating your sense of self:

Understand that it is normal to mix up with others and gather new experiences. But with tie, you will have to learn and figure out, “what is your true self?” and “how do you plan to evolve?” That includes defining the concept of “self” on your own.

Learn to look beyond the surface:

There is more than what one gets to notice on the surface. Pay attention to your soft senses and figure out things to their core. Just by observing, you will be able to learn concepts, inculcate behaviors and gain deep insights about sentiments not visible to the human eye.

Re-evaluate your values with your behavior:

Now that you have set afoot on the final journey toward finding your moral compass, it is time to re-evaluate. This includes creating a tune between your values and behavior. Understand the necessity of your task and then decide whether it is right or wrong.

Do not try to force your values on others:

The first step towards developing a high moral compass is to give up on your urge to control. It is all about understanding individual choices and deciding not to force your values on others.

Expand your knowledge of self:

The path toward finding and fine-tuning a moral compass is not easy. You will always have to fight an inner urge to give up but will have to continue instead. Spend time with yourself, understanding your needs. With time things will get easy.

Commit to growth and have patience:

Moral compass and leadership go quite well. The concept will help you grow and succeed in the near future. But it will take time, and you need to be patient. The only thing that matters is your ability to expand and your motivation to accept.

Work on your irrational thoughts:

As already mentioned, the path is not easy and requires a lot of patience and courage. There will be days when you will feel gloomy and burnt out but try not to give up on those irrational thoughts.

Keep yourself open to change:

Remember, change is life’s only constant and ultimate beauty. You must be flexible with your beliefs and remain open to new ideas.

How do value and moral compass stand apart from each other?

Common human values include brotherhood, empathy, love, compassion, welcoming nature, acceptance, openness, and appreciation. These are driven by an individual’s common beliefs, family, and schooling. With time these external forces try to shape the idea of self in a person, making sure they turn out the same.

On the other hand, the concept of the “moral compass” is completely internal to a person’s self. It depends on their sense of right and wrong and how they take the world to be. A person can have a different sense of morals not equal to their family’s belief as the growth is completely personal. It entirely depends on the experiences they have gone through and which side they choose to be on.

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