North star
What it means
A guiding principle or goal that keeps decisions aligned.
Reach for it when naming a durable principle or goal that guides difficult decisions
Fair access remained the committee's north star throughout the redesign.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
true north
Fits when personal values provide steady orientation
Careful True north is another metaphor and can sound clichéd.
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warm
compass
Fits when direction through uncertainty is the focus
Careful A compass gives direction but not a destination.
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professional
guiding principle
Fits when a rule consistently directs choices
Careful The phrase lacks the aspirational image.
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professional
mission
Fits when an organization's enduring purpose is meant
Careful Mission can become broad institutional language.
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formal
touchstone
Fits when decisions are tested against a standard
Careful A touchstone evaluates rather than directs.
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literary
Fits when visible hope draws people forward
Careful A beacon inspires but does not specify a decision rule.
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literary
Fits when an elevated traditional guiding image fits
Careful Lodestar is unfamiliar to many readers.
Opposites 3
- distraction
- false lead
- aimlessness
Common phrases 3
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guiding north star
Equal access remained the redesign's guiding north star.
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serve as a north star
The patient's own goals should serve as a north star.
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keep as our north star
We keep long-term trust as our north star during negotiation.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated