Maryville Police Department
The High Road Principle
Chaplain's Chat
Locations & Times
Maryville PD
418 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801, USA
Wednesday 1:00 PM
The High Road Principle
(Notes Taken from John Maxwell’s Book “Winning with People”)
We go to a higher level when we treat others better than they treat us. – John Maxwell
Introduction
The high road truly is the path less traveled. I say that because taking the high road requires thinking and acting in ways that are not natural or common. However, those who practice the High Road Principle become instruments of grace to others and recipients of grace. I’ve observed that “high roaders” have several things in common:
1. High Roaders Understand That It’s Not What Happens to You but What Happens in You That Really Matters
a. Newscaster David Brinkley observed, “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”
b. HR’s stay true to their core values and treat people according to them, not according to external circumstances.
2. HR’s Commit Themselves to Traveling the High Road Continually
a. Nearly anyone can be kind in the face of unkindness every once in a while. It’s more difficult to sustain a high road attitude all the time.
b. Responding best today puts us in the best place tomorrow.
3. HR’s See Their Own Need for Grace, and Therefore, the Extend it to Others
a. We are all human and make mistakes.
b. People’s natural inclination is to not give individuals a break when they act in a way that shows their human frailty.
4. HR’s Are Not Victims; They Choose to Serve Others
a. Because the high road is uphill, no one travels it by accident.
b. People who take the high road don’t do so because no other roads are open to them. They do it as an act of will according to a desire to serve others.
5. HR’s Set Higher Standards for Themselves than Others Would
a. When we conduct ourselves according to our highest standards, we are less likely to be defensive and take the low road when attacked by others.
b. I say that because when you know you’ve done all you can do, you can let criticism roll off your back like rain.
6. HR’s Bring out the Best in Others And Themselves
a. Pres. Abraham Lincoln said, “Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”
b. If you need a little help moving to the high road, then follow these “directions”:
i. Stay on Kindness Street as long as possible.
ii. Turn right on Forgiveness Avenue.
iii. Avoid Get Even Alley because it is a dead end.
iv. Climb to the top of the hill, for there you will see the high road.
v. Take it and stay on it; and if you lose your way, ask God for help.
c. The high road is often not the easiest road, but it is the only road that leads to the highest level of living.
(Notes Taken from John Maxwell’s Book “Winning with People”)
We go to a higher level when we treat others better than they treat us. – John Maxwell
Introduction
The high road truly is the path less traveled. I say that because taking the high road requires thinking and acting in ways that are not natural or common. However, those who practice the High Road Principle become instruments of grace to others and recipients of grace. I’ve observed that “high roaders” have several things in common:
1. High Roaders Understand That It’s Not What Happens to You but What Happens in You That Really Matters
a. Newscaster David Brinkley observed, “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”
b. HR’s stay true to their core values and treat people according to them, not according to external circumstances.
2. HR’s Commit Themselves to Traveling the High Road Continually
a. Nearly anyone can be kind in the face of unkindness every once in a while. It’s more difficult to sustain a high road attitude all the time.
b. Responding best today puts us in the best place tomorrow.
3. HR’s See Their Own Need for Grace, and Therefore, the Extend it to Others
a. We are all human and make mistakes.
b. People’s natural inclination is to not give individuals a break when they act in a way that shows their human frailty.
4. HR’s Are Not Victims; They Choose to Serve Others
a. Because the high road is uphill, no one travels it by accident.
b. People who take the high road don’t do so because no other roads are open to them. They do it as an act of will according to a desire to serve others.
5. HR’s Set Higher Standards for Themselves than Others Would
a. When we conduct ourselves according to our highest standards, we are less likely to be defensive and take the low road when attacked by others.
b. I say that because when you know you’ve done all you can do, you can let criticism roll off your back like rain.
6. HR’s Bring out the Best in Others And Themselves
a. Pres. Abraham Lincoln said, “Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”
b. If you need a little help moving to the high road, then follow these “directions”:
i. Stay on Kindness Street as long as possible.
ii. Turn right on Forgiveness Avenue.
iii. Avoid Get Even Alley because it is a dead end.
iv. Climb to the top of the hill, for there you will see the high road.
v. Take it and stay on it; and if you lose your way, ask God for help.
c. The high road is often not the easiest road, but it is the only road that leads to the highest level of living.