Credibility Is Currency: The Radical Integrity Learned at Hyde School – A Hyde School Alumni Story

A Hyde School Alumni Success Story

This reflection comes from a Hyde School alumna whose career in public service and advocacy was shaped by Hyde’s core principles of integrity, courage, and leadership.

Hyde School Alumni Story

Alison (Stern) Simard, Hyde School Class of 1989 — from student in Bath, Maine to civic leader in Los Angeles, carrying Hyde’s lessons of integrity and credibility into public service.

The core lessons I learned at Hyde School have only grown more relevant over my three-decade career.

At Hyde, I discovered that ego-filled talk and credibility are not the same. Your true currency isn't what you say—it’s what you do. The only thing anyone truly owns is their name, and your work ethic is the backbone of its integrity.

This is the bedrock of the Hyde way: a transparent record of following through on your promises and living with mission-driven hard work.

A Career Shaped by Character

As a teenager entering Hyde School, my fear of failure and need for approval often led to procrastination. Two simple principles redirected me to success: “The harder I work, the luckier I get” and “The truth will set you free.”

These Hyde School principles shaped not just my career, but my personal mission. Over the years, my work in public affairs and advocacy—from financial services to government—has been grounded in transparency and credibility.

The Crisis Communications of Character

Hyde’s Five Words—Curiosity, Concern, Integrity, Leadership, and Courage—remain my compass. They remind me that true influence stems from honesty, humility, and moral clarity.

In media relations and crisis communications, integrity isn’t a strategy; it’s a way of life. Admit mistakes early. Speak truthfully. Listen vulnerably. Help others. Apologize immediately when wrong. These are not just professional ethics—they are the Hyde School values in action.

Our Daily Moral Tithing

Through community service at Hyde School, I learned that sharing responsibility for others’ well-being is the foundation of my own growth. My “moral tithing” is my daily check-in:

• What good did I do today?

• Who did I help?

• Did I act selflessly, without expecting recognition?

A Legacy of Conscience

All you have is your name. The principles I learned at Hyde remind me that credibility is the true currency of leadership.

When facing challenges, I ask myself:

• What action can I take today that upholds my integrity?

• How can I leave a better legacy of truth and service?

Credibility is the currency of change. The principles I learned at Hyde School continue to guide how I lead, serve, and measure others. True leadership is built on nothing less than integrity—the courage to live your values every day.

The Lasting Impact of a Hyde School Education

Hyde Voices shares authentic perspectives from Hyde School alumni, parents, and staff. Each story demonstrates how Hyde School’s focus on truth, growth, and character creates lasting change. Explore more Hyde School stories, share your own reflection, or learn more about the school itself at the Hyde School website.