By Michael Clayton, President/CEO

The Qualities of Good Character

            Leadership requires that people of character accept the burden to do the right thing.  As Mortrimer J. Adler wrote of Aristotle’s view of leadership, “The good leader must have ethos, pathos and logos.  The “ethos” is his moral character-- the source of his ability to persuade.  The “pathos” is his ability to touch feelings -- to move people emotionally.  The “logos” is his ability to give solid reasons for action -- to move people intellectually.

            Character is best taught by putting people in an environment that conditions them to character as it works in the real world.  Cicero said, “Our character is not so much the product of race or heredity, as of the circumstances by which nature forms habits, by which we are nourished and live.”  As Goetha put it, “Talents are best nurtured in solitude; character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.”

            A wise leader surrounds himself with people of good character -- “pathos,” “ethos,” and “logos.”  But, how do you find them?   Let me suggest you look for people with these qualities . . .

1.  Integrity -- These are people you can trust.  Question to ask -- “Do the actions and words of the person match-up?”

2.  Personal Responsibility -- These are people who do not pass the buck, and they mean what they say.  Question to ask -- “Does he or she take responsibility for decisions, not blaming problems on circumstances or other people?”

3.  Dependability -- These are people who you can depend on to do what they say they will do.  Question to ask -- “Does the person keep his promises and fulfill his obligations?”

4.  Self-Discipline -- These are the people who you don’t have to look over their shoulder all the time.  Question to ask -- “Does he or she see a project through to completion ‘under their own steam,’ not requiring excessive external motivation?”

5.  Teach-Ability -- These are the people who have a hunger to learn more and be more. Question to ask -- “Is the person open to correction and instruction, learning from his or her mistakes?”

6.  Perseverance -- These are the people who have ‘stickability’ and hang tough when things get tough.  Question to ask -- “In a difficult situation, does the person keep a positive outlook, and refuse to give up?”

            Good character is revealed in the lives of people as they experience both adversity and victory.  It is exposed in how they respond to the good times and the bad.  J.R. Miller said, “The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners and refuses to be buried, is the character of a man.  What a man is, survives him.  It can never be buried.”  

            A good leader must have the ability to persuade, to touch feelings, and to move people intellectually.  Thus, the need for moral character; ability to touch feelings, and to give solid reasons for action.  What is our quest? . . . To be a leader of character and draw around us people who have the same qualities.