“You can be a character,
or you can possess character.”
char·ac·ter
ˈkariktər/ 1. the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual
In my readings and study of the science of human performance, this quote keeps popping up—
“Character is tempered in the crucible of adversity.”
I kind of picture this large cauldron of bursting flames and sparks and out of it emerging a blue-steeled blade formed by some sort of elfin magic to embody incredible strength and purity—Character, tempered by adversity. Whew!
Sounds pretty important, pretty dramatic and absolutely critical to a life well lived. So, what specifically is sound moral character, and how do we know if we have it, and if we don’t have it how do we get it.
Many believe much of your character is inborn… or, something that can only emerge from dramatic tests and crises. Tempered in adversity. But in study after study, character development actually bursts from the daily, constant, habitual, routine acts of common life and judgments—we are being made every minute.
In academia and literature there are many, many attempts at defining and framing character to capture an understanding of it’s importance and nuance:
“Character is what defines an individual and what forges one’s destiny.”
“Character…the inward values that determine outward actions.”
“Character fundamentally shapes how we engage the world around us, what we notice, what we reinforce, who we engage in conversation, what we value, what we choose to act on.”
“Competencies determine what a person can do. Commitment determines what they want to do, and Character determines what they will do.”
“Strongly developed character demands that you are personally guided by principles, moral depth, and integrity to do the right thing in all instances.”
“Character is who you are. It defines you and guides your actions.”
“Character is one’s moral and ethical code. It is a combination of inside traits that determine outward behavior.”
“Character is what a person is.”
All of us have character. It’s not something that you have or don’t have. The turn of the screw is the depth and development of each facet of your character. Your character is the bedrock of effective decision-making. A laser focus on character ignites the best in you and fuels your personal journeys.
In an attempt to concretely identify good character, it has been viewed as the summation of your virtues, values and traits.
Traits being habitual patterns of thought, behavior and emotion—relatively stable in individuals across situations and over time. Traits are believed to evolve through life experiences and deliberate developmental exercises.
Values being the beliefs that you have about what is important or worthwhile. Values are guideposts for behavior and, in large part, derived from the social environment in which you live and the people and events that you wrap yourself in.
Virtues being those certain clusters of traits, values and behaviors believed to be good and productive. Aristotle identified and defined twelve virtues: Courage, Temperance, Generosity, Magnificence, Magnanimity, Right ambition, Good temper, Friendliness, Truthfulness, Wit, Justice, and Practical wisdom.
If you develop strong character, you exude a moral imperative that underwrites your actions. You will be and do what you believe in, with a consistency between your traits, values, virtues and ultimately your actions.
There is an Irish proverb that speaks to character development, it advises:
“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.”
You must determine how you respond to circumstances. Sound moral character is impervious to circumstances. Someone consistently forming judgment based on circumstances is typically seen as someone with little character—changing to fit the hourly morals with minimal self-identity. As you are faced with varying circumstances each day and judge and decide how to act, your actions become your habits, and your habits become your character. Strongly developed character demands that you are personally guided by principles, moral depth, and integrity to do the right thing in all instances.
“We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions; we sow our actions, and we reap our habits; we sow our habits, and we reap our characters; we sow our characters, and we reap our destiny.” C. A. Hall
Atrophied or poorly developed character can be crippling to the achievement of purpose. We give life to whatever we give our energy.
Santa Clara University and the Tom Peters Group compiled the following character traits of good leadership. See if these are character items that you give your energy to:
Honest — Display sincerity, integrity, and candor in all your actions. Deceptive behavior will not inspire trust.
Competent — Base your actions on reason and moral principles. Do not make decisions based on childlike emotional desires or feelings.
Forward-looking — Set goals and have a vision of the future. The vision must be owned throughout the organization. Effective leaders envision what they want and how to get it. They habitually pick priorities stemming from their basic values.
Inspiring — Display confidence in all that you do. By showing endurance in mental, physical, and spiritual stamina, you will inspire others to reach for new heights. Take charge when necessary.
Intelligent — Read, study, and seek challenging assignments.
Fair-minded — Show fair treatment to all people. Prejudice is the enemy of justice. Display empathy by being sensitive to the feelings, values, interests, and well-being of others.
Broad-minded — Seek out diversity.
Courageous — Have the perseverance to accomplish a goal, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Display a confident calmness when under stress.
Straightforward — Use sound judgment to make good decisions at the right time.
Imaginative — Make timely and appropriate changes in your thinking, plans, and methods. Show creativity by thinking of new and better goals, ideas, and solutions to problems. Be innovative!
Finally, The Human Performance Institute in its Mental Toughness Certification program has identified “50 Character Strengths and Definitions”. Listed below is a subset of those Character Strengths. Measure yourself. Then determine if you are willing to give your energy to these character building blocks:
Courage: The ability to act in accordance with what you believe is right in spite of any risk or negative consequence.
Integrity: The ability to do what you say you will do and do it in a highly ethical manner.
Compassion: The ability to feel a deep, abiding concern for the welfare and feelings of others.
Focus: The ability to control one’s attention.
Authenticity: The ability to align one’s public and private voice; to be genuine.
Punctuality: The ability to honor time commitments.
Resiliency: The ability to bounce back from disappointment or loss.
Determination: The ability to rally one’s strength of will in overcoming obstacles.
Motivation: The ability to energize one’s self to act.
Positivity: The ability to view the world through the eyes of opportunity rather than survival.
Mental Toughness: The ability to control one’s thoughts.
Honor: The ability to have one’s actions and decisions reflect the highest ethical standards.
Engagement: The ability to bring your best energy to the present moment in your interaction with others.
Ambition: The ability to be goal oriented and goal-directed.
Human performance Institute Division of W&P, Inc.