For some reason we have lost sight of character. Perhaps this is because our educational system and organizations are so competency focused; perhaps because we just don’t know what to think about character; perhaps because character seems such an old-fashioned word
The sum of virtues, values and traits equals good character, which, in addition to competence and commitment, is one of the 3 ingredients that make a leader effective and respected. For many, however, virtues, values and traits remain indefinable, even elusive. These authors not only define them, they also de-construct them, in the process demonstrating how character fuels people in their personal journeys to become better leaders.
In assessing leaders at any level in an organization, we must always ask three questions:
Values
Aristotle was clear in stating that virtues become vices in their excess or deficiency. Courage in its excess is recklessness while in its deficiency it is cowardice. Collaboration in excess, ungoverned by judgment as to when it will result in benefits, leads to numerous unproductive meetings and organizational inefficiency. But without it, teamwork is difficult or impossible. Too much humility may lead followers to question the leader’s toughness, resulting in a lack of confidence. But without it, leaders make ill-advised decisions and are unable to learn. Transcendence in excess can result in leaders becoming vacuous visionaries, unable to focus on the here and now and the more mundane decisions that need to be made. But without transcendence, leaders focus on narrow, short-term goals.
Senior Leadership and Organizational Commitment to Character Development
Reprint from Ivey Business Journal
Reprint from Ivey Business Journal
[© Reprinted and used by permission of the Ivey Business School]