So much of leadership depends on good character. You cannot climb beyond the limits of your character. Good character builds trust, and the two go hand in hand. Trust is a vital component of all relationships. Building trust takes time and effort and can be broken with just one bad interaction. Good interactions are like deposits in a trust bank account, while bad interactions are like withdrawals.
Effective leadership is not just about making promises or giving speeches. Instead, it is about taking action and following through on those promises. People are more likely to believe in a leader who demonstrates their commitment through their actions rather than just words. While words can be powerful at the beginning of a relationship, actions matter more as time goes on. Charisma may get you followers, but character keeps them.
Trust is up to you as the leader to earn, not for others to give you. If you can’t make others trust you, it’s your fault. People won’t follow you mindlessly, nor should they.
People are convinced more by what a leader does than what a leader says. At the beginning of a relationship, words matter. As the relationship continues, actions matter more. Charisma may get you followers, but character keeps them.
Trust is the result of both character and competency, according to Steven F. Covey in “Speed of Trust.” You need both aspects, as people won’t trust an incompetent person to perform. On the other hand, even the most competent person won’t be trusted if they have poor character.
Make sure you’re following the Three C’s, which are (1) consistency; (2) choices; and (3) Credit. Consistency means you’re the same person in any situation. Make choices that are best for others even when another decision would benefit you. Give credit to others and to shoulder the blame yourself.
The Four Dimensions of Character at (1) Authenticity; (2) Self-Management; (3) Humility; and (4) Courage.
Authenticity means you must walk the line between showcasing your success and revealing your failures. Highlighting your failures allows your success not to approach arrogance. Max Lucado says “God would rather we walk with an occasional limp than a continual strut.”
Self-Management relates your ability to act in line with your character aspirations. Character is not about intelligence, or knowing what to do. It’s about making the right decisions. IQ counts, but character matters even more, and you can’t fake character through intelligence. Therefore, focus on building your integrity through acting out what you know is right.
Practice humility, because nobody likes a leader who’s full of themself and working for their own benefit. Humility is living in the constant understanding that we are flawed. Accept your weakness and give grace to others for theirs. Through humility, you’ll be in a better position to serve the people you lead.
Courage makes character possible. Character is not developed in ease and quiet. Leaders will be obligated to take others farther than they’ve walked themselves. You must develop the courage to always do the right things and demand others do so as well.
Character makes you bigger on the inside than on the outside. Plutarch said, “What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” Developing character inwardly will determine how much you can achieve outwardly and how others view your achievements. You have to give to receive.
You have an inner voice that demands character and an outer voice that desires success. There’s a healthy tension between the two, but if you don’t focus on building your character, your desire for success will turn to pride and eventually crush you.
Become bigger on the inside than you are on the outside by developing character. Character manifests itself from the inside out. Understand your core values and live them daily.
Do the right thing even when you don’t want to. When you’ve determined your values, you’ve already decided what you will and won’t do. Character just means getting your actions in line with this determination.