The Four Cardinal Virtues and HR: A Philosophical Approach to Leadership and People Management

“Strive to be the person philosophy has tried to make you.” – Marcus Aurelius

What centers you? Is it religion? Is it a hobby, such as painting or writing? Is it something different? For me, many things center me, help me make decisions, help remind me of who I am and who I am striving to become.

It should come as no surprise to longtime readers of my posts. But what centers me is philosophy, Stoicism in particular, although not exclusively. And as I have written before, philosophy isn’t something that is kept in hallowed halls or ancient books. Philosophy is about the daily actions we take. Actions that lead us to becoming better people for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the world.

To me, to be in HR is to be a philosopher.

As an HR professional and a student of philosophy, I often reflect on the intersection of timeless philosophical wisdom and the day-to-day complexities of managing people and leading organizations. One of the most powerful frameworks I’ve found useful both personally and professionally is the concept of the four cardinal virtues: Courage, Temperance, Justice, and Wisdom. These virtues not only shape our character but also provide a roadmap for ethical, thoughtful, and effective leadership.

The HR profession (and life) demands that we navigate difficult decisions, conflicts, and organizational challenges daily. Whether we are guiding employees through performance issues, resolving inevitable conflict, or advocating for equity and inclusivity, our ability to act with integrity and consistency is critical.

The Cardinal Virtues have their foundation in ancient Greek philosophy going all the way back to the original OG – Socrates. Without getting too into it, all Western philosophical schools branched off of the original teachings of Socrates and adapted the Virtues in their own way. I know the Stoic interpretation the best, so that is what this article (and series of articles) will focus on.

The Stoics understood that the foundation for inner integrity lies in the Cardinal Virtues, which serve as a compass for our actions, helping us lead with purpose and principle, and providing us a Northern Star to center us.

Courage: Doing What is Right, Even When It’s Difficult

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” – C.S. Lewis

Courage is the virtue that allows us to face challenges head-on, to stand up for what is right even when it’s uncomfortable or risky. In HR, courage means having difficult conversations, addressing inappropriate behavior, and advocating for employees even when doing so may cause friction or discomfort.

Ryan Holiday, a modern Stoic philosopher, writes in The Obstacle is the Way, “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” In HR, this translates to confronting obstacles—whether it’s addressing underperformance or navigating layoffs—with the mindset that these challenges are opportunities to lead with integrity and demonstrate our commitment to fairness.

Courage in the workplace is not about fearlessness. As Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, wrote in Meditations, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Courage allows us to embrace difficulties, knowing that they are part of our journey as leaders.

Temperance: Practicing Self-Control and Moderation

“Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.” – Epictetus

Temperance, or self-discipline, is about balance, moderation, and emotional control. It’s the virtue that enables us to manage our impulses, remain calm under pressure, and make decisions based on reason rather than emotion.

In HR, temperance comes into play when we must navigate conflicts between employees or deal with high-stress situations, such as organizational restructuring or crisis management – COVID ring a bell? Maintaining a calm and balanced demeanor allows us to lead effectively, ensuring that decisions are made with clarity and fairness.

Musonius Rufus, another Stoic philosopher, wrote, “The person who has practiced philosophy as a cure for the soul becomes self-sufficient. The individual neither fears the loss of fortune nor is he afraid of death.” I wish I could write that the HR pro doesn’t need to face life and death situations, but I unfortunately write to you in the USA, where workplace violence and mass shootings are common. I know personally HR pros who had to face this issue head on. Regardless of life-or-death situations, stakes can still be high and stressful, so Temperance is essential for emotional resilience, helping us maintain composure even in the face of difficult challenges.

Justice: Ensuring Fairness and Equity for All

“Justice is the principle of treating everyone equally, and fairly, and according to their actions. It is the source of all law.” – Marcus Aurelius

Justice is the virtue that calls us to ensure fairness and equity in our actions and decisions. In HR, this means advocating for fair treatment, promoting diversity, EQUITY, and inclusion, and ensuring that policies are applied consistently across all employees.

Seneca, one of the great Roman Stoics, emphasized that “wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” In the workplace, this means recognizing that justice isn’t just about following the letter of the law; it’s about treating every individual with dignity and respect. Justice in HR is about creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background, identity, or role.

Ryan Holiday reminds us, “Justice isn’t about being fair when it’s easy, it’s about being fair when it’s hard.” This principle is especially relevant in HR, where we often face difficult decisions that impact employees’ livelihoods. Justice ensures that these decisions are made with fairness and compassion.

Wisdom: Making Informed, Thoughtful Decisions

“Wisdom is the knowledge of things human and divine and their causes.” – Cicero

Wisdom is the virtue that guides us to make informed, thoughtful decisions. It is the ability to see situations clearly, understand the broader context, and act in a way that aligns with our values and long-term goals.

For HR professionals, wisdom is essential. Whether we’re making hiring decisions, managing organizational change, or providing counsel to leadership, wisdom helps us navigate complexity with clarity. It’s about learning from past experiences, using data to inform our decisions, and considering both the immediate and long-term consequences of our actions.

As Ryan Holiday states in Stillness is the Key, “The ability to choose your response to any given event, to find stillness even amidst the chaos, is the greatest wisdom of all.” In HR, wisdom allows us to find calm in the chaos, guiding organizations and people through change with a steady hand.

Applying the Virtues in HR: A Path Forward

These four virtues—courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom—are not just abstract philosophical concepts; they are practical tools for leadership and personal development. As HR professionals, we are tasked with navigating complex human dynamics, and the virtues provide a framework for doing so with integrity, clarity, and compassion.

In the coming weeks, I will be diving deeper into each of these virtues in dedicated blog posts. We’ll explore how courage empowers us to stand firm in difficult times, how temperance helps us stay balanced in the face of emotional challenges, how justice ensures fairness in all our actions, and how wisdom guides us to make thoughtful, informed decisions that benefit both individuals and the organization.

By integrating these virtues into our daily practice as HR professionals, we can become not only better leaders but also better people—leading with purpose, serving others with kindness, and creating workplaces that are grounded in fairness and resilience.

Quotes for Reflection:

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” – Ambrose Redmoon

“The man who has practiced philosophy as a cure for the soul becomes self-sufficient.” – Musonius Rufus

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

Let’s walk this path together as we explore the deeper meanings of the virtues and their relevance to modern HR. These virtues provide us with a compass to navigate the complexities of our profession with grace, integrity, and wisdom.

Stay tuned for the first in the series, where I’ll delve into the virtue of Courage and its role in HR.

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