Personal Character

The Oxford dictionary defines ‘character’ as “the collective qualities or characteristics, especially mental and moral, that distinguish a person or thing; a moral strength; reputation, especially a good reputation.”

I think we’d all agree that character matters significantly in our personal lives as well as in our professional lives.  Indeed, a goal, and perhaps a requirement, is to behave with identical character in both, as it should not be a trait one can turn off and on, else it would be false.

Character’s place in leadership came sharply to mind when I recalled David Brooks‘s New York Times column entitled ‘The Rediscovery of Character.’  (Brooks left the Times and wrote The Road to Character.)  His column is a tribute to James Q. Wilson, the late and eminent social scientist.  From Mr. Wilson’s own 1985 essay on “The Rediscovery of Character,” Mr. Brooks excerpts many essentials of character that I think are directly relevant to how individuals behave and succeed at work and to the sustainability of a corporation.

From Wilson and Brooks, here are the key observations we should consider as individuals with important corporate responsibilities.

• ‘The language of morality in discussing problems of mankind should not be shunned.’ Moral businesses treat their employees, competitors and customers with respect. Grant’s treatment of Lee at Appomattox and Lincoln’s leadership offer examples of the role character can play in difficult circumstances.
• ‘Our nation’s problems cannot be understood by looking at incentives.’ Mr. Wilson’s observation reminds us to look beyond financial rewards when considering what motivates people. Social media and open-source development offer examples. Financial incentives can play a role, but people also participate to share knowledge, build relationships and contribute to something meaningful. Both individuals and communities can benefit. How does that fit with current incentive plans and performance reviews? How does corporate hierarchy support—or discourage—these motivations?
• ‘Behave in a balanced way. Think about the long-term consequences of your actions. Cooperate. Be decent.’ It is hard to find better guidance for how to act in a corporate environment. Wouldn’t we all want to work in an organization where we and our colleagues acted this way?

My belief is that absent character, corporations will not be able to retain their best people, that disorganization will follow, that individuals will game the system, and that we’ll lose incalculable productivity and creativity.  Perhaps the best way to think about character is to recognize it lasts forever and affects everything we say and do.  We’d be nowhere without it.

For a closer look at Fred Kiel’s research on character and business performance, read Why It Pays to Lead With Character.