Warren Bennis, the pioneer of the contemporary field of leadership stated: “Successful leadership is not being tough or soft, sensitive or assertive, but about a set of attributes. First and foremost is character”. This exemplifies that character have a lot to do with leadership.
To get to know what character is and its relationship with leadership. Let us first understand the words: character and leadership. Etymologically, character can be traced to a Greek word, “kharakter” meaning a chisel or marking instrument for metal or stone. Even though, we don’t carry around a stone or metal sheet marked with our character, it is symbolic. The enduring thing which is character is the aggregate of the traits and features that form our apparent individual nature. Leadership, on the other hand is the art of influencing and directing people in such a way that will win their obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in achieving common objectives.
Our character exists not only in and of itself, but also as an appearance to others. The fact that character exists both in us and in the minds of other people holds a powerful leadership lesson. We all know character when we see it, but few leaders know what it exactly is. They don’t know what precise role it plays in getting result nor do they know what character plays in their leadership role. However, character is a critically important component of personality and therefore, of what makes people tick. Its importance to leadership is considerable.
Not surprisingly, the importance of the character of leadership is making inroads in the world. A great leader, Mahatma Gandhi viewed character as leadership essential and suggested that in leadership, good character counts.
Great leaders with character like Herbert Macaulay, Nelson Mandela, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and a host of others achieved results that transcended and were able to lead right as well as create a better world for their followers. They are what they believe in. They show consistency in their values, ethical reasoning and actions. They develop positive psychological states like confidence, optimism, hope and resilience in themselves and their followers and are widely known and respected for their character.
Nelson Mandela’s candour about his vulnerabilities as well as his philosophy of leadership has won him the admiration of the whole world. He recognised that good leadership consists more of character than personality.
In conclusion, leadership that achieves results goes beyond how to be and becomes how to do; this type of leadership is about character. This connotes that in order to get things done as a leader, one first needs to get in touch with his or her character.
