Focus on Your Leadership Character

Leadership

About two years ago, around October, I found myself facing a crisis that truly tested my mental strength. Normally, I pride myself on staying calm and collected, even in tough situations, but this time was different. One morning, as I was driving my daughter to school, I felt a shift in my demeanor that I didn’t even recognize. My daughter, with a look of genuine concern, turned to me and asked, “Daddy, why do you look so angry?” The worry in her voice broke my heart, especially when I saw her eyes welling up with tears. She had never witnessed me like that before, and it made me realize just how deeply our emotions can affect those we love.

At that moment, I took a deep breath and reminded myself, “Gifford, it’s important to stay grounded. You can’t let one challenge throw you off course.” It was a humbling experience that taught me a valuable lesson: our reactions during difficult times truly reveal the essence of who we are as leaders. How we navigate our most trying moments speaks volumes about our character. Leadership encompasses so much more than just holding a title or leading a team; it’s about how we support and inspire others through adversity.

You might have the authority to tell people what to do, but if you have a questionable character, you won’t be able to guide, influence, inspire and motivate anyone to accomplish anything. As an inspirational leader, you cannot have an unpredictable leadership character that changes with every passing wind. One criticism of Steve Jobs’s leadership before he was ousted from Apple was his immature leadership and how erratic he was every day. His character was very questionable, and people were unsure which Steve Jobs would show up to the office daily.

It is imperative to recognize that no individual is immune to the repercussions of a deficiency in ethical character. Former Wall Street executive Bernie Madoff orchestrated the most extensive Ponzi scheme in history, defrauding his clients of billions of dollars while eluding regulatory scrutiny for decades. Madoff was ultimately convicted on multiple charges, including securities fraud, investment advisor fraud, wire and mail fraud, money laundering, filing false documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission, making false statements, perjury, and misappropriating employee benefit funds. He received a sentence of 150 years in prison for his actions.

The true nature of one’s leadership character will inevitably reveal itself over time, allowing individuals to discern whether a leader is genuine or fraudulent. A pertinent example is Theresa Gattung, the Chief Executive Officer of Telecom NZ, a telecommunications company based in New Zealand. Her candid acknowledgment of her vulnerabilities, along with her leadership philosophy, has earned her the respect of her male peers. She asserts that effective leadership is characterized more by integrity than by mere personality.

When Sheryl Sandberg’s husband passed away unexpectedly, she described the experience as akin to a void that was both consuming and overwhelming, making it difficult for her to see or breathe. Sandberg candidly expressed her emotions, sharing them with the public. This experience imparted a fundamental lesson in leadership: there is no inherent weakness in displaying vulnerability as a leader, as it reflects one’s authentic character in leadership roles.

Be honest about your feelings.

According to Shawn Doyle, the perception that expressing emotions as a leader denotes weakness is a misconception. A pertinent example is Howard Schultz, who, upon his return as CEO of Starbucks in 2007 during the company’s most significant decline, addressed employees with evident emotion, stating that without essential change, Starbucks would cease to exist.

Schultz remarked, “There are moments where you must share your soul and conscience with people, demonstrating your true self without fear.” This emphasis on openness and honesty, coupled with an authentic display of vulnerability, allowed Schultz to forge deeper connections with his employees. Consequently, Starbucks achieved a remarkable recovery, reinforcing its reputation as one of the foremost global brands.

As noted by Sheryl, vulnerability is not a trait many leaders readily accept; however, it can cultivate stronger relationships and loyalty among employees, enabling them to bring their authentic selves to the workplace. It is imperative to create an environment that encourages individuals to express their true identities at work.

If you look at a statue, any statue, does it change in the day, in the night, in the snow, in the rain, in a hurricane, in an earthquake? Does it move, does it get upset or lose its cool? That’s what we call character. When people can predict what you will do even when you are not around, it shows you have built a trustworthy leadership character. That’s why leaders with strong character can achieve results that transcend everyday organizational imperatives. Authentic leadership always begins with the inner person, according to John Maxwell.

The character of a leader will filter into the entire organization, influencing everyone who works there. Great character will create the potential for a great organization. But it all begins with the leader’s heart. By acting on a core set of benevolent values, authentic and inspirational leaders bring out the best in their followers and do great things for society.

The question is not really why character matters, but why it doesn’t get the attention and respect it warrants. Character is not something that you have or don’t have. All of us have character, but the key is the depth of your personality because this will enable us to lead and holistically inspire people to become the best versions of themselves.

About The Author

Gifford Thomas is the founder of Leadership First and understands the challenges that many leaders face. Gifford is deeply committed to sharing the best inspirational quotes and articles to encourage and uplift every leader by providing a daily dose of inspiration to support you through your leadership journey.