The Code of the West: A Straightforward Guide to Life and Work
We may not be riding horses, herding cattle, or settling new frontiers anymore—but life
can still feel like the Wild West. Long days, tough jobs, dealing with people, and just
trying to make ends meet can feel like a daily dust-up.
Back in the day, the pioneering people didn’t have HR departments or rulebooks. What
they did have was something better: a personal code. They called it The Code of the
West, a simple, unwritten set of values that helped folks stay honest, dependable, and
tough when it mattered.
Even today, these 10 principles hold up. You might’ve seen them on a company
website, or hanging in an office or breakroom:
The Code of the West
1. Live each day with courage.
2. Take pride in your work.
3. Always finish what you start.
4. Do what has to be done.
5. Be tough but fair.
6. When you make a promise, keep it.
7. Ride for the brand.
8. Talk less and say more.
9. Remember that some things aren’t for sale.
10. Know where to draw the line.
These aren’t just nice words—they’re principles, fundamental truths, real values that still
mean something on the job, at home, and in life. They’re about being dependable and
loyal, doing things right, and backing up your word with action.
In fact, Wyoming took this code so seriously, they made it their official state code in
2010. And in Colorado, a teacher even ran an entire school semester based on it. One
of her students came up with an 11th principle: “Breathe in problems, breathe out
solutions.”
Whether you’re running a company, managing a team, or taking care of your family,
having your own code helps you get through the hard stuff and stay solid when others
might quit. The Code of the West is simple—but it says a lot.
So, what would your 11th principle be?
Think about it. Write it down. Live it.
Keep leading and growing strong,
Jeff
