This week, I read an op-ed by Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach For America, who offered her critique on a New York Times piece titled "Selling Out’ Isn’t an Insult to Gen Z." Kopp's response highlighted that Gen Z does care, but as a society, we are not helping them build their own agency. They are inundated with false choices, primarily offered through a "pay to play" system.

We know that companies that show up front and center in their feeds, career services offices, and classrooms have paid to be there. Meanwhile, other choices—those that may align more closely with young people's philosophies, hopes, dreams, needs, and aspirations but lack the cash for ad space—are sidelined and not presented as viable options.

I started thinking about how young people have so many choices. How we all have so many choices nowadays. In fact, most shoppers spend anywhere from 10 minutes to several days researching their choices before making a purchase. On one hand, overwhelming, on the other, we feel a sense of agency—the ability to make our own decisions and take actions based on our own wants and needs—when we have these choices.

But when it comes to our own learning, knowing, doing, and leading, how do we ensure we are exercising our personal decision-making ability? How do we not just take the free stuff and run? How do we retain our decision-making control, aligning with our values and mission rather than placing it in the hands of corporate entities who are paying to have their name in our minds and in our communities?

In the education and nonprofit sectors, this challenge is especially pronounced. Imagine Corporation XYZ gives you a grant for $500,000 or $1,000,000, and all you need to do is promote their new platform or ensure your participants use their curriculum. Even if the platform or curriculum is fine, promoting it as 'the' choice so you can keep your funding when it's not actually the only choice sets up your participants for a limited perspective.

The reality is: People actually do have choices. You have choices. It is a fundamental human freedom. As good stewards of a change-making mission, we must not let someone else purchase the right to appear as our only choice. So, what choices do we have, and what decisions should we make in order to lead with integrity?

Here are three basic steps to begin fueling your leadership with integrity so you can continue to generate positive change in the world:

1. Recognize You Have Choices

The first step is to become aware of the choices available to you. This involves critically evaluating the options presented and seeking out alternatives that may not be as visible but are equally or more aligned with your values and goals. By recognizing that you have a variety of choices, you empower yourself and those you lead to make more informed and authentic decisions.

2. Take Responsibility for the Choices You Make

Once you recognize your choices, it’s crucial to take responsibility for them. This means understanding the implications of your decisions and being accountable for the outcomes. In the nonprofit and education sectors, this might involve scrutinizing the sources of your funding and the strings attached. It’s about ensuring that the choices you endorse reflect the mission and values of your organization, rather than the interests of those with the deepest pockets.

3. Let Go of Expectations

Finally, let go of the expectations placed on you by others, especially those who may have a vested interest in your choices. This can be challenging, but it’s essential for maintaining integrity. By freeing yourself from external pressures and focusing on your mission, you can lead with authenticity and inspire others to do the same.

Leading with integrity is about making conscious, deliberate choices that align with your core values and mission. By recognizing your choices, taking responsibility for them, and letting go of external expectations, you can create a positive and lasting impact in your community. By following these steps, you can ensure that your leadership remains grounded in integrity, and you can continue to make meaningful contributions to the world.

To continue growing as a leader who embodies integrity, generosity, and compassion, follow us at Development Without Limits. We offer invaluable support and resources to help organizations thrive with these core values.