What does justice mean as a core value?
Justice as a core value means wanting wrongs named and put right, and standing up for people who bear the cost of others’ choices, even when that makes you unpopular.
Justice is fairness with its sleeves rolled up. Believing in what’s right is the start. When a wrong has been done, whether that’s a child bullied at school, a supplier left unpaid or a colleague dismissed on flimsy grounds, you want it named and put right. If justice is a core value, you react strongly to people getting away with things, and to the powerless bearing the cost of other people’s choices. You’re willing to be unpopular to push for the right outcome.
What does justice look like in practice?
- You follow up on a complaint until it’s properly resolved.
- You speak up when someone is being scapegoated.
- You want consequences for bad behaviour, including when the person is senior or well liked.
- You volunteer, donate or campaign on issues where people are being wronged.
- You make sure the person who was harmed gets heard as much as the person who did the harm.
When is justice overplayed?
A strong sense of justice can harden into righteousness. You might see everything as a moral battle, assume bad intent too quickly, or pursue consequences long after they’d do any good. There’s also a risk of burning out on fights you can’t win alone. The grounded version stays clear about wrongs without losing sight of people’s complexity, and leaves room for repair as well as consequence. Before the next fight, it’s worth writing down what putting it right would actually look like.
Often confused with
Justice vs Fairness
Fairness is even-handedness in everyday decisions. Justice is about putting wrongs right and standing up for what’s right, usually when more is at stake.
Justice vs Advocacy
Advocacy is speaking up for particular people who can’t speak for themselves. Justice is the broader cause of right being done, for anyone.
Justice vs Equality
Equality is the principle that everyone should have the same rights and chances. Justice is what you pursue when that principle, or any other right, has been breached.
Questions to sit with
- What injustice do you feel strongly about but have never actually acted on?
- When has your sense of justice made it hard to forgive someone?
- Who pays the price when you let something wrong slide to keep the peace?
More values in Ethics
Doing right and treating people fairly.
About the author
Matt Rutherford is a Career and Leadership Coach. The Values Finder is the same exercise he uses with his coaching clients. He also writes Stuff that MattRs, a weekly newsletter with practical ideas to help you think clearer and work better.
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