Sage advice? As I thought about this opportunity to share my thoughts, it was clear it would take a little self-reflection and insight. What could I talk about that was so meaningful to me that I wanted to pass it on to you? Well, here it is—always take the high road! What does taking the high road really mean to me? It’s about treating another person with respect, even when that respect seems undeserved, and doing so is not a sign of weakness. It refers to a higher moral ground and interpersonal excellence in very difficult times and under pressure. It’s about honesty and fairness. It means always asking yourself, “What part did I play in making this situation happen?” It is ownership of the obligation to be accountable for your own behavior and to expect others to do the same. You cannot make someone be accountable; you can only let that person know that when they don’t hold themselves accountable, it is unacceptable to you and changes the relationship. It is about taking responsibility for disclosing that expectation and the consequences that go with it; ultimately, it is about transparency. It’s a desire to make something better and to bring the relationships involved to a higher level of understanding so as to be able to learn from the situation and move forward to do great things. I learned about taking the high road from my mother when I was a young girl. I did not, of course, have a name for it at that time. I was aware that something had happened between my father and my mother’s brother, my godfather. When I asked about it, she said, “Your dad and your uncle had a disagreement, and I supported your dad, not my brother, in the argument.” When I asked why, she said because my dad was right. She had taken the high road and did not get pulled into the family drama and bickering that would follow (the “blood is thicker than water” part). My mother made her case and continued to treat her brother with respect. Over the years, my uncle and my dad were friends; there was no gossip, no whispering, and family life moved on. I learned that taking the high road requires integrity, which is about wholeness, sincerity, and values-based consistency. It also means sincerely caring about others and wanting others to succeed even when there is conflict, believing that their success is your success. Integrity is about inclusiveness. It’s about knowing where you stand and what you will and will not accept. Taking the high road based on these values and principles takes courage. I took the “high road” many years ago when offered the “highway” at an organization where the work expected of me did not align with my values on how to build a strong, cost-effective, clinical enterprise based on a professional model of practice that was capable of producing superior clinical, financial, and service outcomes. I held no ill will and did not engage in bickering or sniping. Rather, I accepted the consequences of a conscience crossroad. It is one of the best things that ever happened to me, and I would do it again today. My values are still clear—excellence in clinical and management practice will foster highquality, cost-effective performance that will produce care that is delivered in the best interest of the patient and ensures the success of the business. I can also count the times on one hand that I did not take the high road, and I am not proud of those times. The best I can do is to learn from my mistakes and missteps and to remember them the next time I need a reminder. Keep in mind that just because you take the high road does not mean others will do the same, so be prepared and stay on the road. Taking the high road has served me well these many years, so I pass this advice on to you in the hope that it will serve you well, too. Take the high road as long as it is paved with integrity and “Ah’ll be in Scotlan’ afore ye.” When you get there, I will be waiting with open arms and a smile on my face so we can both learn from the journey.