All Show, No Go!!

One of the most important determinants of leadership success is the character of the leader. Much of our society looks for the charisma of the leader. Both are important qualities but given the chance to pick only one, character will win the day.

Leaders of character say and do right things. The world is full of people who talk a good game. Unfortunately, they are often all show and no go. Some of the most charismatic of leaders collect a following but fail to follow through. Finally they end up losing their following.

Sometimes a charismatic leader tries to take advantage of his or her ability and tries to baffle others with talent. In the short run this often works but only builds up more disappointment when the character flaws become apparent.

Character stands the leader in good stead over the long haul. Someone has said that character is who you are when no one is looking. I think the statement is true but doesn’t totally define a person of character. So what are some of the things a person of character says and does that are right?

Persons of character spend time determining right things and then stand upon them no matter the consequence. They do not blow with the wind or go for the flavor of the month. In our modern society there is value in flexibility but not when it comes to compromising one’s governing values. Persons of character stand for something rather than fall for anything.

Persons of character are loyal. Loyalty can be shown in supporting a subordinate, but also in having the courage to be honest and tell another when they are wrong or have made a mistake. Too often in the business world, people go along to get along and so honest evaluation with the intent of remediation is absent. Persons without character would rather be liked than to take care of a job’s toughest tasks.

Finally, persons of character are consistent. They become very predictable. After subordinates have been with a leader of character for a while they can almost always guess how the leader will respond in situations. This consistency builds the foundation for relationships to develop. No guessing and fearing how the leader might react when things don’t go well or when they do go well.

When we are given the opportunity to choose a leader with both character and charisma that would contain the best of both worlds. However, given the choice of one or the other, character should win out every time. With that choice we have a lot of go and not just show.