THE CHARACTER OF A LEADER
« Character
is not reflected by what we say, or even by what we intend, it is a reflection
of what we do »-Anonymous.
WHAT IS CHARACTER?
The action you take
to carry out the values, values and morals you believe in.
Consistency between
what you say you will do and what you actually do.
Putting the ethics
into actions.
Defines, builds or
breaks your reputation.
Moral strength. It
takes courage to do what is right when it may cost more than you are willing to
pay.
Who you are and what
you do when no one is looking.
Character
is therefore the aggregate features and traits that form the individual nature
of some person or thing. Leadership is a very critical matter, in fact, “it’s a
big deal”. Therefore who we choose to follow as a leader has very real
consequences.
How should we decide
who we follow?
What a leader says
he will do and his stand on various issues is of lesser importance, without
good character, what confidence do we have that what a leader says, he will do?
I believe not all leaders are born. Majority of the most
respected leaders are those that were able to develop themselves in order to
become who they are today. This goes beyond gaining educational knowledge and
years of experience in the workforce. One of the most important attributes that
an individual must possess is not the position, title, a great office or an
impressive set of credentials. It is character. In our quest to choose leaders,
in the country, church, organization, community etc we must look out for those
who have taken time and pain to develop their character over the years and
therefore can be trusted.
CHARACTER IS FOUNDATIONAL FOR LEADERS.
“Leadership
is a potent combination of character and strategy, but if you must be without
one, be without strategy”- Norman Schwarzkopf.
Deuteronomy
5:1-22
When
the people of Israel entered into covenant with God, Moses commanded them to
hear, learn, and obey God’s regulations. Moses’ threefold command to the
Israelites provides excellent advice for development of character for every
follower of God.
Listening is
absorbing and accepting information about God
Learning is
understanding its meaning and implications
Obeying is putting
into action all we have learned and understood.
All
three parts are essential to helping build godly character in an individual.
Character determines behaviour just as
behaviour demonstrates character. Character is not directly observable. It is
an individual’s behaviour that is observed and that behaviour which defines an individual’s
character. One’s character is observed by others through the looking glass of
one’s behaviour.
Character is the core of a person – “Who we are when no one
sees.”
Communities and societies are vulnerable unless citizens
whose characters are comprised of such individual virtues as loyalty, charity,
compassion, civility and duty under gird them. Such citizens act on motives
superior to their own immediate self-interest. They keep the law, respect human
life and property, help the unfortunate and meet their obligation to society by
the payment of due taxes. Character is never simply inherited. Nor does it grow
on its own like a weed. It has to be formed and cultivated. Character develops
over time. We may think that a person’s character is formed early in life but
we do not know how much or how early character develops. We do know that
character does not develop quickly and that it is refined over a life time.
THE IMPORTANCE
OF A LEADER’S BELIEF
Contrary to popular opinion, a leader’s beliefs are not
irrelevant and a private matter, but they form the basic worldview from which a
leader draws principles to govern. If a leader’s beliefs are correct, the
principles he governs by will be correct and ultimately successful and vice
versa.
Proverbs 9:10 :( NIV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”
Can a leader who does not personally fear God and have a
personal relationship with Him govern with godly principles? One must analyze
the words and actions of a leader to determine his or her beliefs.
Character
must be taken seriously for the following reasons:
We are given gifts
but we must develop our character.
Our character earns
the trust of others.
Only good character
earns lasting success with people.
Sound character
communicates credibility and consistency.
Ability may get you
to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
We cannot rise above
the limitations of our character.
IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER TO LEADERSHIP.
"Character is central to good
leadership – not just political leadership, but the leadership of mums and
dads, principals and teachers, managers and administrators and everyone who
influences lives around them"
Character breeds
perspective. Gen 50:15-21
What enabled Joseph to refrain from exacting the kind of
vengeance most of us would be tempted to dish out in similar circumstances is
CHARACTER. If you want God’s perspective on life, then make sure to develop
your character.
Character builds
influence.
In order to propel a group of individuals to be united
towards a common goal or vision, a leader must be able to influence. A leader
can only influence people who believe and trust that he or she would be able to
lead them. This can only happen when the people the consistency in your
CHARACTER.
Character leads to
improvement.
A leader who has character would not be closed to
suggestions from his followers. He would humbly take criticisms from
subordinates and apologize where necessary. This would eventually lead to trust
and confidence of those below and above, it minimizes any incident of
resistance and protest occurring.
