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.