IF we describe character as our nature (in its current state), what we have become thus far in our life’s journey…​

IF it is as dictionaries call it:

Character is our true nature including identity, sense of purpose, values, virtues, morals, and conscience.^[1] Character is the essence of who an individual is, what an individual values and believes, and how they behave.^[1] Doing the right thing the right way for the right reasons demonstrates character.^[1] Demonstrating character often means resisting the easier wrong in favor of the tougher right.^[1] Making the right choices involves discipline.^[1] Discipline can be thought of as the foundation of character.^[1] Team character is the melding of individuals’ character in a team.

IF character is the manifestation of what we are becoming, a snapshot in the movie of life that hints at future scenes.

IF character is as James Allen states in his 1902 book called As A Man Thinketh that "A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."…​

THEN what is the impact of character on leadership?

Character is also such an important quality of a leader because decisions and actions of the leader are viewed by others.^[1] The demonstrated character of the leader greatly influences how other people either emulate their conduct or disapprove of it.^[1] These can, in turn, add to or detract from team trust and cohesion.^[1]

Your character affects your leadership. Integrity is a key mark of a leader’s character.^[2] It means doing what is right, legally and morally.^[2] The considerations required in leader choices are seldom obvious as wholly ethical or unethical.^[2] Leaders who unwaveringly adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and unit standards build credibility with their followers and enhance trust from those they serve.^[2]

Leaders of integrity adhere to the values that are part of their personal identity and set a standard for their followers to emulate.^[2] Identity is your self-concept, how you defines yourself.^[2] Leaders who are effective with followers identify with the role and expectations of a leader; they willingly take responsibilities typical of a leader and perform the actions of a leader.^[2] Leaders who are unsure of themselves may not have a strong idea of their identity.^[2]

Leaders employ character when all decisions, big or small, are analyzed for ethical consequences.^[1] One must have the knowledge of how to address the consequences.^[1] This knowledge comes from personal experience, and others’ guidance as you are open to it.

With the many examples of ethical and moral lapses with business leaders in the first decade of the 2000’s, it became clear that a leader’s character has a huge impact on ethical decision-making when faced with a dilemma. Enron’s collapse showed that concern over the consequences kept the key leaders from acting ethically.

So IF character is closely tied to leadership, THEN leaders need to develop a strong character before their dilemmas arrives to test them.

Because leaders seek to do what’s right and inspire others to do the same, leaders can influence character development.

Leaders continuously develop in themselves and their followers values and attributes. Your character shows through in your actions all the time.

Character forms over time through education, training, and experience in a continuous, iterative process.^[1]

Internalizing moral principles as personal beliefs is essential for character development.^[1] An individual demonstrates character when they correctly identify the ethical implications of a decision, possesses knowledge to act, and acts accordingly.^[1]

People come to organizations with a character formed by their background,religious or philosophical beliefs, education, and experience over a lifetime.^[3] Your job as a leader would be a great deal easier if you could check the values of a new employee the way dentists check teeth or labs run a blood test.^[3] We could figure out what values were missing by a quick glance and have them add the right combination.^[3]

But character development is a complex, lifelong process.^[3] Leaders can help build follower’s character by acting the way you want them to act. Leaders teach by example, and coach along the way. When you hold yourself and your followers to the highest standards, you reinforce the values those standards embody.^[3] They spread throughout the team, or organization—throughout the enterprise—like the waves from a pebble dropped into a pond.^[3]

Leaders enable the development of character in others by conveying clear ethical expectations, modeling right conduct, and establishing discipline to uphold organizational values.^[1] This comprises the essence of what it means to be an ethical leader and serve as a powerful influence on character development.^[1] To develop character in others, leaders must embody the organization’s values every day.^[1]

Leaders must communicate expectations. To reinforce desired behavior, leaders should recognize people who demonstrate exemplary conduct.^[1] When a team member falls short of the organization’s values, leaders must counsel them and help them see the gaps between their personal values and those the organization espouses.^[1] Leaders look for the character developmental opportunities that exist in day-to-day operations.^[1] In this way, people learn what is expected of them in the organization.^[1] Reinforcing ethical standards increases the likelihood of ethical decisions and actions, and promotes an ethical environment.^[1]

Leaders shape the ethical environment of their organization while developing the trust and relationships that enable effective leadership.^[1] Over time, the fostered ethical environment contributes to enhanced organizational ethical behavior.^[1] The internalization of ethical principles develops as the culture reinforces the acceptance and demonstration of ethical behavior.^[1] All team members contribute to their team’s character.^[1] Modeling positive character fosters social norms and expectations to choose the tougher right over the easier wrong.^[1] Team members hold each other accountable to embody the organization’s values and demonstrate character.^[1] This approach to character at the team level strengthens team trust and cohesion.^[1]