Building Character for Lasting Success

Character – Who you are as a person is more important than your abilities.

While your abilities may take you to the top of the pyramid, it’s your character that will keep you there. I’ve witnessed the pressures of leadership, and when your foundation isn’t strong, those pressures can drive you to compromise. But when you’ve developed good character, what comes out when you’re squeezed is a reflection of your true self.

“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” — John Wooden

We all know the story of Enron. Enron, once one of the largest energy companies in the world, collapsed in 2001, costing thousands of employees their jobs and pensions. In the book How Will You Measure Your Life, Clayton Christensen says the following about Jeffrey Skilling, Enron’s CEO:

“The Jeffrey Skilling I knew from our years at HBS was a good man. He was smart, he worked hard, he loved his family.”  So what happened? Christensen believes the collapse of Enron was due to the executives valuing success metrics and short-term gains over ethical foundations and long-term principles. Despite their intelligence and business acumen, they fell into the trap of prioritizing financial achievements and corporate image over integrity and moral responsibility. Enron had a values statement and had the executives aligned their decisions with those values; they would have protected the company from its eventual downfall.

Actionable Insights to Build Strong Character

Avoid Marginal Thinking:

Small, seemingly insignificant decisions that appear harmless at the time can, over time, lead to larger compromises of values and ethics. When we make a mistake, it may seem that covering it up will cost us nothing, but admitting and owning up to it might result in a reprimand from our boss. So, we cover up the small mistakes, thinking no one will notice. While the immediate consequences of admitting the mistake are clear, seeing the larger impact of these small cover-ups is often more challenging.

Over time, we can become numb to our conscience, justifying these minor deviations and rationalizing our actions. This gradually normalizes unethical behavior and makes it easier to make questionable choices without considering their broader implications.

To avoid marginal thinking

• Be clear on your values and stick to them, no matter what.
• Pay the short-term price for a mistake rather than letting it spiral out of control.

First we make our habits, then our habits make us.

John Dryden

Accountability Acts as Guardrails

Accountability acts as guardrails, keeping us safe and guiding our decisions. .

As much as we may not like being questioned, understanding that it is for our good is crucial. We are all capable of making decisions that are not ethical, but by accepting our vulnerability to veering off course and embracing accountability we protect ourselves from any foolish actions.

Leaders who don’t like to be questioned end up doing questionable things.

Jon Acuff

Ensure Your Private Walk Matches Your Public Talk

Regularly check in with yourself to ensure you’re living up to the standards you’ve committed to. Evaluate if your values and actions align. Remember, the true test of character is not just what you do when others are watching, but also when you’re alone. Aligning your private walk with your public talk is essential for building a strong character.

When I emphasize character, I don’t expect leaders to be flawless with no mistakes. However, I do expect them to have the zeal to always do the right thing, accept their mistakes, and make course corrections. Being clear about your values and being vulnerable enough to admit flaws and struggles is essential for growth.

Remember, Normal doesn’t test your integrity; crisis does. But when crises come, it’s often too late to fix your character shortcomings.

A Thought to Leave You With

“Without character, even the brightest talents and the most ambitious careers can come crashing down.”

True success is built on trust, integrity, and doing what’s right — even when it’s the hard path. Reflect on this:

• When was the last time your values were tested?
• How did you respond?

Let us commit to building character that not only helps us reach the top but keeps us there — making our influence both lasting and positive.