Make Leader Character Your Competitive Edge

The great leaders of history have all been known for their character. People remember the actions taken by Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela because of how those leaders shaped the world around them. These people led not only through their actions but also through their values; they were able to influence others because they had a reputation for good character. In many organizations today, however, character is left to chance — that is, we hire people based on competence alone without considering whether or not they have positive traits such as honesty or kindness.

Every leader has character.

Everyone has character — even the people who don’t think they do. Character is a combination of values, beliefs and actions that make each person unique. It’s an important part of leadership because it helps you show up differently with your team members and customers.

Character is something that can be developed over time through experience and reflection — but only if you’re willing to look at yourself honestly and take action to improve your self-awareness

In many organizations, character is left to chance.

As leaders, you have a responsibility to help those around you develop their character. And the best way to do that is by hiring people who already have it.

Hiring for competence is easy: You just look at resumes and credentials, make sure they meet your minimum requirements, and move on. But when it comes time to hire someone with strong character—someone who will be part of your team or even lead others one day—it can feel like a guessing game. Who knows what makes up good character? Who can tell whether someone has strong moral fiber or not? If this sounds like you, don’t worry! There are ways to find out if someone has the leadership skills necessary for success in any organization.

Character matters to people — a lot.

People want to work with people they like. Research shows that people are more likely to trust and follow others who have good character. They’re also more apt to stay with companies that have a reputation for high integrity and ethical behavior.

Character is all about being the kind of person who does what you say you’re going to do, even when no one is watching and even if doing so is inconvenient or difficult. Characters can be created through small acts of kindness and consideration, but it takes focus, practice, and perseverance to build them into our personalities — especially in a world where so many temptations pull us away from our best selves every single day

People recognize the value of a reputation for good character.

• People want to work with people they like.
• People want to work with people they trust.
• People want to work with people they admire.
• People want to work with people who are honest and ethical, especially when it comes to money.

Leaders must recognize their own values and beliefs.

In order to be effective, leaders need to be aware of their values and beliefs. In order to achieve this goal, they must first be honest with themselves. They should:

• Be aware of their strengths and weaknesses;
• Be aware of the values of others; and
• Be aware of the values they want to instill in those who follow them

Character is important and it should be considered just as much as competence in your next hire or promotion.

Character is important. It’s not just about ethics, it’s about how you treat people and what they think of you. Character matters in leaders because it sets the tone for behaviour within an organization. When a leader has good character, it shows up in the way others perceive them and their decisions. That perception can make all the difference when it comes to hiring new staff or promoting someone within your organization.

If you’re a leader who wants to improve your reputation for good character, take some time to consider what values are most important to you—and then live them! Don’t just talk about what kind of company culture will help achieve these values; demonstrate that you value those same things by communicating them regularly with your team members (or even publicly).

In the end, good character is more than just a nice-to-have. It’s a requirement for success in today’s business environment. Leaders who understand their own values and beliefs will be better equipped to lead others and create a culture that reflects those values.