Leadership is all about character.
Character Shows Over Time
Anyone can manipulate words and stretch the facts to suit their short-term objective. However, it’s challenging to maintain a facade of behavior long-term, and your actions will ultimately catch up with you. Here are just a few examples of what I am talking about:
- No one likes bullies.
- Aggressive people tend to trigger a defensive response.
- Everyone recognizes and dislikes rude and disrespectful behavior when they see it.
- Who likes to be in a room for any extended period with a know-it-all who always has to be right?
- If we catch people in a lie or think they are lying, we tend not to trust them.
- Cracks in someone’s voice or an unusual change of verbal pitch grab our attention.
- Consistent low energy becomes a red flag in our perception of someone.
- Hyperactivity is off-putting.
- Someone’s refusal to make eye contact troubles us all.
- If we perceive someone who wants something too badly, they seem desperate.
- Warm and kind people tend to trigger a similar response in return.
- Thoughtful people encourage us to be more thoughtful ourselves.
- We listen more closely to those who tend to think before they speak.
- Charitable people encourage those around them to be more charitable.
Despite what
George Burns says, you can’t fake sincerity.
You Cannot Fake Sincerity
People see through it. It is the biggest problem we have with our politicians. Recently, a presidential candidate declared that he would not allow “fact-checkers” to distort his message or sway his campaign. Strong opinions shouldn’t trump fact-based decision-making. To judge a person, listen to what they say, not what they do. You have the freedom to express yourself freely, but you cannot escape the consequences of your actions or inactions.
It is also disingenuous to take credit for things you had little to do with, especially when you are unwilling to shoulder related blame. We all intuitively understand that individuals who frequently contradict themselves or say anything to achieve their desired outcomes may be troublesome or even dangerous.
Style Should Never Trump Substance
Style should never trump substance. A leader should mean what they say and say what they mean. Most people can identify instances of patronization or pandering. I am much more interested in what someone believes in themselves than being told what I want to hear. I’m also always open to hearing an alternative point of view if the other person genuinely believes what they are saying. And, on fundamental principal issues, your opinions shouldn’t shift like the wind to suit your audience. You should also never play to the
lowest common denominator to score cheap points. It shouldn’t be about winning; it should be about winning for the right reasons.
An actor’s job is
Expose Reality, Lead Authentically
to make what is unreal seem real. A leader’s role is to expose reality. He
or she should lead by example, bring people together, foster productive dialogue, and chart a positive path forward, regardless of the circumstances. If you decide to take on the role, please ensure you do so authentically. Never forget that behavior reflects character!
