Introduction
Leaders play an essential role in a company, influencing their subordinates. However, possessing only professional skills is not always enough for a successful leader. The demand for such people today is great, and to take and keep a place of leadership is possible only by possessing certain qualities, innate and acquired. Excellent leadership is not just about management, communication, or decision-making skills but also requires developing specific character traits. This essay explains the significant role of character in leadership.
The Importance of Character in Leadership
Professional skills, experience, or knowledge in a particular field cannot lead the team to success. Leaders are not followed because of formal power or authority. A leader’s character typically affects the ability to inspire others. They are based on clear and explicit values to achieve specific purposes and a better future (Blanchard and Hodges 90). At a minimum, leadership character plays a unique role in team building and alignment of head-follower relationships (Doolittle 1). It involves a manager’s ability to communicate effectively and establish adequate interaction with colleagues.
Without character, leading people effectively and distributing responsibilities competently is impossible (Why Character is Important 1). A supervisor’s determination and confidence motivate people, creating a resilient team and an atmosphere of mutual understanding and support. Individuals with a leadership character know how to listen and consider employees’ opinions. They can recognize followers’ needs and desires, skillfully adapting to circumstances (Northouse 123). Generally, they strive to help subordinates achieve their goals by recognizing their accomplishments and developing their leadership skills.
Supervisors can say they have whole character and deep integrity, but the accurate indicator is action. Character defines people’s essence and how they perceive the world around them and act. It delineates the difference between a good performer and a true leader (Why Character is Important 1). If a leader’s actions and intentions are constantly at odds with each other, one must look closely at their character to determine why this is the case. A leader’s actions accurately indicate character, factual beliefs, and intentions. Words confirmed by actions inspire others and help to achieve high results and achievements.
Character is especially significant to leaders, ensuring sound and prudent decisions are made. It permits directors to deal with conflicting and desirable goals, relying on wisdom, judgment, and virtue ethics (Why Character Matters 1). Successful managers follow high moral principles, and their behavior serves as an example for others. They are well-behaved, respectful of their immediate surroundings, and focus on noble goals, excluding dishonesty, cruelty, indifference, and recklessness (Why Character Matters 1). These people do not shirk responsibility for their actions and are accountable for what they do. They are not afraid to be the “captain of their ship” and do not run from problems but find solutions. People stop believing in a leader if they allow “weakness” in a difficult moment.
When making complex decisions, each person usually chooses between compromise and character. Leaders always follow their principles, even if the consequences may be harmful. Strong leadership character is synonymous with a good, honorable, and moral person (Northouse 322). Managers with such a character do not give up, move forward no matter what, and find solutions even in the most problematic situations. They resist temptation and stay true to their beliefs, which impresses others who begin to trust and follow such leaders.
For example, Nelson Mandela, a South African statesman and politician with solid character, did not renounce his views in exchange for freedom and was adamant in his pursuit of justice, equity, and equality (Northouse 323). People still remember him as strong-willed, conscientious, courageous, humble, and compassionate (Northouse 323). Indeed, Mandela was a true leader, and his followers respected and appreciated his efforts.
Leadership character is often seen as an innate personality quality. In reality, it can be developed and enhanced in oneself, others, and organizations (Seijts and Wright 1). Notably, its education has become a significant part of the school curriculums so children can become honest, law-abiding citizens (Northouse 322). A leader’s character is the sum of their habits, which, if desired, can be adjusted to be like Jesus to give others love, support, and attention (Blanchard and Hodges 154).
Leaders are influential because they are strong-willed, courageous, fair, reasonable, and, at the same time, emotional, calculating, and intuitive. A true leader must possess valuable qualities, be productive, and understand the motives and intentions of others. In this case, personal effectiveness, professionalism, and authority are essential. Leadership does not work without self-motivation, self-confidence, and the ability to communicate and negotiate.
Developing character to become a leader and gain people’s trust and respect is vital. Leaders should take the example of Christ’s behavior to heart, struggle with loneliness and isolation, and maintain a deep connection with subordinates and minister to them. (Blanchard and Hodges 183). Character determines not only a person’s nature but also the ways of self-improvement and self-development (Northouse 323). Honesty, integrity, sincerity, responsibility, empathy, and forgiveness are the primary foundations for building a leader’s character, applying knowledge and skills competently, and making clear decisions (Doolittle 1).
Showing restraint, openness, and a sense of fairness in management allows one to accurately see and analyze the picture of reality, understand some limitations, and adjust the course of action (Seijts and Wright 1). The Bible recommends: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (The ESV Bible, Colossians 3:12-13). Finally, character development should be an ongoing process characterized by constant growth, learning, self-reflection, self-control, and discipline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to build a successful career and lead a company effectively, it is not enough to be a superior. The character of a leader plays a remarkable role in uniting team efforts, competent distribution of employees’ responsibilities, clear achievement of set plans, objective assessment of situations, and making correct decisions based on specific values and beliefs. A strong leader’s character can and should be developed to act justly, be honest to oneself and subordinates, follow Christ’s teachings, and be a role model.
Works Cited
Blanchard, Ken, and Phil Hodges. Lead like Jesus: Lessons for Everyone from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time. Thomas Nelson, 2005.
Doolittle, Jeff. “Why Character Matters in Leadership.” Organizational Talent Consulting. Web.
Northouse, Peter G. Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice. 5th ed., SAGE Publications, 2020.
Seijts, Gerard, and Thomas A. Wright. “Why Character Matters.” Organizational Dynamics, vol. 50, no. 3, 2021, 1. Web.
The ESV Bible. Crossway, 2001. Web.
“Why Character Matters for Leadership.” Emerald Publishing Limited, 2022. Web.
“Why Character Is Important in Leadership.” SIGMA Assessment Systems Inc. Web.