The following is a lesson that didn’t make it to the final draft of my book, Simple Leadership. I am putting it here to serve as a sample of what the 30 lessons in the book are like. I’d be super honored if you picked up a copy for yourself or a friend.
Character is everything in human relationships. But why? Because men and women of character can be trusted. Without people of character, any institution or organization falls apart. Leaders must be dependable and respected. They do this by putting in the work, showing up on time, and keeping their word. Likewise, they are responsive, returning phone calls and messages. People of character endure life’s challenges and storms. They get knocked down, and they get back up.
If you don’t have character, it doesn’t matter what kind of calling you have or how gifted you are. Character isn’t defined by making one good decision or by being well-liked. We are not born with character. We have to learn to be men and women of character. We have to put in the work for the long haul. Character is proven over time.
Have you ever been immediately impressed by someone you just met—whether talented, charming, or they have a way with words? They might even promise the moon, but they are nowhere to be found when it’s time for them to show up. I have seen many talented and promising people settle for poor standards in the character department. They are full of promises, but after a while, you discover they are flaky and stop believing them.
Many people have the talent and desire to display their gifts, but their drive to be noticed far exceeds their input to be helpful. This is a lack of character.
It’s easy to say, “I’m a person of character.” However, it’s a statement that rarely needs to be made with your words. It’s been said, “Talk is cheap.” Your actions will reveal how much character you have.
Being a person of character does not mean that you are perfect, it simply means that you are a person worthy of trust.
Simply Put
1. Keep Your Word
Follow through with commitments; if you can’t, communicate that ahead of time. Don’t lead with an excuse; lead with an apology. This will reinforce the power of keeping your word. When you become a person of your word, you won’t need to make promises or guarantees; your word will be sufficient.
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 (NIV)