There are many skills that are necessary for sustained leadership success, but it ultimately comes down to one key factor – character.
Character fundamentally shapes how we engage with the world around us, what we notice, what we reinforce, who we engage in conversation, what we value, and what we choose to act on. Without strong character, it’s easy for a leader to fall into some common pitfalls that can lead to failure.
As an executive leadership coach, I often talk to my clients about the importance of character in leadership. Here are some specific character traits that I encourage my clients to embody as leaders:
Integrity: As a leader, this means being honest and truthful, even when it’s difficult. It’s essential for building trust and credibility with your team.
Honesty: As a leader, this means being open, transparent, and truthful in your interactions with others. Without honesty, it’s difficult for your team to trust you, and your relationships may suffer as a result.
Empathy: As a leader, this refers to the ability to understand and connect with others’ emotions. Without empathy, it’s difficult to build strong relationships and create a positive and supportive work environment.
Compassion: As a leader, this means showing concern and care for others and treating them with kindness and understanding. Without compassion, it’s difficult to create a positive and supportive work environment and to inspire and motivate others.
Accountability: As a leader, this means being responsible for your actions and decisions, and being willing to take ownership of the outcomes. Without accountability, it’s difficult to earn the trust and respect of others and to inspire and motivate your team.
To prevent massive failures in your organization, it’s essential for leaders to embody strong character traits. By striving to embody these traits, such as integrity, honesty, empathy, and compassion, leaders can set an example for their team and create a positive and productive work environment.
Lead From Within: Character is not just a word; it’s a process of building the habits that shape not only our lives but our leadership.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
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Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world.
Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds
of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership
program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance
and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership
and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with
the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR,
Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others.
Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
