What is character?
Character
“The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”
Your word is one of the only things you truly have in this world. You can't control everything that people think of you but you can control the promises you make.
It is your responsibility to carefully make promises. Truly work hard to never say you're going to do something before you have thought through actually what it will take to do it. This is been one of the hardest lessons in my life. Once I understood the importance of keeping my word, those around me appreciated it and learn to respect me more. They know when I say I am going to do something I do it.
Ways to improve your character
#1. Make sure to never say you're going to do something without counting the cost of doing it first
Every promise comes with the necessity to fulfill it. There will be sacrifice and denial of oneself to be truly able to follow through with a promise. Count the cost of your time and energy before you commit to doing something.
#2. Strive to be honest in everything you do. Never lie, never be deceitful and never withhold the truth.
Being a person of integrity is more about what you choose to say. Filling in the blanks means presenting truth when it isn't easy. Think CFO with bad news about sales or husband with sour news about a layoff. These times define who a person really is.
#3. Give others the freedom to be honest.
By being transparent yourself you give others the space to be forthright with their own difficult truths. As a leader, setting an example of integrity gives your reports the permission to come to you with difficult information that may or may not reflect poorly on them.
Finally, if you follow all these suggestions, people around you will appreciate you and respect you more than ever. You will become a better leader and one truly worthy of following.
At mConsultant Group, we strive to help organization become more truthful. We cut through the bull and seek the truth.
Reach out to us to today to have a trusted busienss advisor tomorrow.