How and Why to Develop Character: 6 Steps

Marilyn O’Hearne here today talking about the importance of character and how to develop it in yourself and others for success established through trust.

Why it is so important? Developing character provides a structurally firm foundation, the basis for trust. Without trust, we cannot have effective relationships and are out of business. We need to develop good character to be the best we can be: as human beings, leaders, coaches, teachers, parents, grandparents so our future generations, organizations and nations can be the best they can be. Don’t just complain about lack of good role models, be one!

Brian Tracy says character is the greatest success factor of all. Quoting Aristotle, “Only the good can be happy, and only the virtuous can be good.”

What is character? Webster dictionary definitions include moral excellence and firmness. Also the complex of traits including ethical; marking and often characterizing a person, group, or nation. Moral: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior while ethical refers to the conforming to accepted standards of conduct.

What character are you developing within yourself and those around you: your direct reports, your children, grandchildren, students?

In “How to Achieve Collaboration with Clarity and Caring”, we looked at clarity around vision and goals. Clarity around values (what is most important to us), ethics and morals is crucial for developing character as well as improved decision making.

Developing character brings to mind a leader I had the privilege of coaching. His goal was to BE love in the workplace: to live out his value of love, make that the standard of his behavior, and serve as a role model for his organization. Imagine the culture that created. Wouldn’t you like to work with someone like that?! Research shows a loving, compassionate, fair boss is more crucial for talent retention than salary.

And because ethics is a core coaching competency, coaching shows up in our Mentor Coaching and especially Coaching Supervision, particularly related to contracting and three way alignment meetings, avoiding triangulation.

Six steps to developing character:

1 & 2. Have and be a good role model.

3. Be clear about and consistently live out your values and morals

4. When you don’t (we are human!), admit it and apologize.

5. *Practice reflection by asking, What are the decisions I will be making today; have made? (at the beginning and end of the day) What morals, ethics, values go into my decision making?

6. Partner for accountability with a coach and/or coaching supervisor

Thanks and join us next week!

To our potential, prosperity and peace-we are in this together!

* Coaches do you yearn for a reflective partner to further develop your character and your coaching while earning coaching continuing education? Contact me regarding Coaching SUPER-VISION. In some parts of the world and with some organizations, coaching SUPERVISION is a requirement for coaching contracts.

Leaders, want a partner in developing trust and character in your team? Apply for an Unlock Potential strategy session!