Character

What is it?

If we ask our friends and family to describe our character, we’ll likely hear a different answer to what our work colleagues might say. We might want our character to be consistent and be effective with all people and in various situations. Some important questions might be:

  • What is my character and why?

  • How could I evolve my character?

  • Where and how does my character show up in how I operate as a leader?

Traits define a person's behavior, thoughts, and feelings in different situations. These traits are often considered to be stable and consistent over time, although they can also be influenced by experiences and environmental factors.

Research suggests that effective leaders are predisposed to have certain character traits, for instance Optimism, Perseverance, Assertiveness, Work Ethic, Creativity, EQ, Integrity, Adaptability, Resilience and Vision.

Some books that can stimulate us on how we want to lead and be seen to lead:

  1. "The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life" by Alice Schroeder - This biography tells the story of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors and business leaders of all time. It offers insights into his investment philosophy, personal life, and the key decisions that have shaped his career

  2. "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson - This biography provides a detailed account of the life and career of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. It explores his innovative ideas, management style, and the impact of his work on the technology industry

  3. "The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon" by Brad Stone - This book tells the story of Jeff Bezos and the rise of Amazon, one of the most successful companies in modern times. It offers insights into Bezos' management style, entrepreneurial vision, and the strategies that have made Amazon such a dominant force in e-commerce

  4. "Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike" by Phil Knight - This memoir tells the story of Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, one of the most successful sports apparel companies in the world. It explores his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way

  5. "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" by Ashlee Vance - This biography provides a detailed account of the life and career of Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla Motors, and several other innovative companies. It explores his entrepreneurial vision, management style, and the impact of his work on the technology industry

How might you develop it?

Developing good character for leadership requires a combination of self-reflection, personal development, and practical application. Here are some steps you can take to develop good character for leadership:

  1. Reflect on your values and beliefs: Take some time to reflect on your personal values and beliefs. What kind of person do you want to be? What kind of leader do you want to be? This will help you to identify the character traits that are most important to you. We might use some tools like the Values in Action Inventory

  2. Identify areas for improvement: Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Identify the areas where you need to improve your character and focus your efforts on developing those traits.

  3. Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from others about your character and leadership style. This can help you to gain insight into how others perceive you and identify areas for improvement. I use 360 survey tools (for breadth of insight) and stakeholder interviews (for depth of insight)

  4. Read books and attend workshops: Reading books and attending workshops on leadership development can help you to gain new insights and develop practical skills for improving your character and leadership abilities.

  5. Practice self-discipline: Developing good character requires self-discipline and self-control. Practice setting goals, managing your time effectively, and staying focused on your priorities.

  6. Lead by example: Good character is demonstrated through your actions, not just your words. Lead by example and demonstrate the character traits that you want to develop in others.

I find Character to be one of the most frequent topics covered in coaching leaders. There is who we have been, who we are, who people think we are, and who we want to be as a leader – to be effective and also authentic to ourselves is often the important pursuit.

Key References and Research on Character in Leadership

  1. Books:

    • "The Leadership Challenge" by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner: Explores how leaders with character inspire others and create high-performing teams.

    • "Character Driven Leadership" by John D. Sutherland: Discusses how leaders can intentionally develop and demonstrate character, and why it is essential for organizational success.

    • "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey: Focuses on principles of integrity, responsibility, and respect as core elements of effective leadership.

    • "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek: Highlights how character-driven leadership fosters a culture of trust and loyalty within organizations.

  2. Key Research:

    • Harvard Business Review (HBR) – Research on Ethical Leadership: Studies on how leaders with high ethical standards foster trust and engagement within their teams.

    • Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Research on the role of character in leadership effectiveness, particularly in building long-term credibility and resilience.

    • Gallup Research on Trust in Leadership: Demonstrates how character traits like integrity and transparency correlate with employee engagement and organizational performance.

    • University of California, Berkeley – Greater Good Science Center: Explores the role of virtues such as kindness, gratitude, and fairness in leadership.

  3. Publications:

    • Harvard Business Review: Articles like "Building Your Leadership Character" emphasize the importance of character in leadership success.

    • Forbes: Regularly publishes articles on the role of character in leadership, focusing on how leaders with strong values inspire and influence others.

    • McKinsey & Company: Explores how character-driven leadership is linked to high performance and sustainable growth in organizations.

  4. Podcasts:

    • "The Leadership Podcast" by Jim and Janice: Discusses leadership traits, including the importance of character and ethical decision-making in leadership.

    • "WorkLife with Adam Grant": Features conversations on how character-driven leadership creates healthier, more engaged workplaces.

    • "The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast": Focuses on character-based leadership, emphasizing integrity, authenticity, and ethical influence.

    • "The Tim Ferriss Show": Interviews with successful leaders who discuss the role of character and personal values in their leadership journey.