(För introduktion till denna serie bloggtexter, se http://blog.perspectus.se/?p=693)
1. Inner Compass
Having a deeply felt sense of responsibility and commitment to values and purposes relating to the good of the whole.
Having an “inner compass” is not a skill, but is rather a consequence of having a broad scope of awareness that also has led to a motivation to care for and contribute to the welfare of something much larger than oneself. This larger whole can be constructed in different ways: humanity, the global ecosystem, or particular large-scale issues, such as climate change, environmental problems, public health, human rights, etc. The concept of an inner compass is related to how people make priorities when making decisions and acting. A stable inner compass anchored in values relating to a larger whole means that concerns for the well-being of the larger whole are factored in in various situations.
Quite a few concepts that were listed by survey respondents can be related to Inner compass, e.g. being grounded in ethical values, passion for the whole, caring about others, solidarity and sense of purpose.
Having an inner compass firmly anchored in a commitment to contribute to the good of the whole is intimately related to other IDGs, such as Connectedness, Long-term orientation and visioning,
and Perseverance.