Select Page

good character

The following are what I believe to be the basics of good character. Miss one of these, and you’ll find a weak link in your character—one that might be your leadership’s undoing.

Related: How to Build Character

1. Integrity

Integrity is a good catchword that is similar to character but provides us with a different way of looking at the ideas of character. The root of integrity means “whole” or “undivided,” and that’s a terrific way to help us understand what integrity is—an undivided life. For example, you don’t act one way in one situation and another in a different situation. There is integrity and wholeness to your life. Living this way will build trust in your followers. Another use of the word integrity that provides insight for us is when the word is used in regard to a physical structure. A wall or a building that is strong and has no cracks is said to have integrity. The same could be said for great leaders.

2. Honesty

It is regularly said that honesty is the best policy, but I would add that honesty is the only policy for great leaders. Think about it. Why do people hedge the truth? Usually for a few basic reasons: They are either afraid of the ramifications or they are trying to hide something. Either way, a lack of honesty results in the fact that you destroy the trust of those who follow you. Even if you tell them the truth but they know you have lied to others, it will destroy the trust you had with them. They find themselves thinking, “If he will lie to them, will he lie to me?”

I’ve never understood what people hope to accomplish by being dishonest. Eventually people come to know that you’re not honest in your dealings, and that is what you become known for. Your reputation is what your leadership is based on, though. When we’re honest and live transparently before our followers, they’re able to see us for who we are and make solid decisions to follow.

3. Loyalty

People of good character are loyal people. They have a “stick-to-it” attitude when it comes to others. Anybody who knows human nature knows that people fail. It’s just a matter of time, no matter how talented someone is. A person of good character stays with their friends even in the downtimes. Anyone can be friends with others when times are good. People of good character stay with their friends when they need them most. How this translates into making you a good leader is this: People want to follow a leader who will stretch them beyond where they are now, but who’ll also allow them to try—and to fail. When we are loyal to our followers, they’ll be loyal to us and make every effort to succeed on our behalf and on behalf of the organization. There are few things that strengthen the leader-follower bond more than when a leader shows loyalty to a follower in need.

4. Self-Sacrifice

Lee Iacocca became a legend when he said he’d bring Chrysler back from the brink of bankruptcy and would take only a dollar a year in pay. This was a classic example of a leader sacrificing for the followers. It also showed his understanding of and empathizing with the average line worker. As a result, the workers of Chrysler rewarded him with an incredible following as they built Chrysler into one of the world’s leading car companies.

What is it about self-sacrifice that breeds followers? Followers don’t mind putting in the hard work. They don’t even mind a leader making more money or reaping benefits from their work. What followers do mind, though, is when the leader is using them for personal gain. People of good character don’t use other people, period. So when a leader shows sacrifice of personal gain, it says to the followers that they are willing to come alongside of them—and followers reward that almost universally. A person of good character shows that they can give up personal gain for the good of the whole.

5. Accountability

People of good character don’t mind accountability. In fact, they welcome it. This is the act of allowing others to have a say in your life, to speak to you straight about your life and conduct. The brutal truth is that we have blind spots and need other people to be in close to us so we can advance down the road of success. The need for accountability doesn’t prove lack of character. Rather, it proves the presence of character. G.K. Chesterton said, “Original sin is the only philosophy empirically validated by 3,500 years of human history.” The person of good character knows this and invites others to speak into their life.

Followers grow tired of leaders who will have nothing to do with accountability. They don’t mind leaders who make mistakes, but they do mind leaders who don’t take responsibility for their mistakes by being accountable. When we allow ourselves to be held accountable, our followers know that we are serious about keeping our own house in order, and thus will do a good job in leading the rest of the organization.

6. Self-Control

The ability to make decisions—good decisions—about what we will and will not do with our actions is at the core of what we become in regard to our character. There will be plenty of options to participate in things that are not moral. Everybody has temptations, but a person of good character knows to exercise self-control—literal control over their choices. When people don’t exercise self-control, they sabotage their ability to lead. People lose respect for them and will follow less, if at all. Self-control is the ability to choose to do the things we should, and to refrain from doing the things we shouldn’t. When we exhibit self-control, we again build trust in our followers. They respect us and want to follow us.

Related: 7 Personality Traits of a Great Leader


Adapted from the 
Jim Rohn Guide to Leadership

Photo by Oleg Illarionov/Unsplash.com

3 Ways to Turn Nothing Into Something
3 Ways to Turn Nothing into Something

To turn nothing into something, you’ve got to start with ideas...

seasons of life
Are You Using the Seasons of Life?

One of the difficulties we face in our industrialized age is...

goals
The Real Value in Setting Goals

What goals did you set at the start of this year?...

Don’t Wait Until Tomorrow

Time offers opportunity but demands a sense of urgency.

4 Powerful Little Words That Make Life Worthwhile
4 Powerful Little Words That Make Life Worthwhile

In this excerpt from a 2001 presentation by Jim Rohn, the...

Why Successful Habits Breed Success
Why Successful Habits Breed Success

When you are doing all that you can possibly do, and...

15 of Jim Rohn’s Most Motivational Quotes

For more than 40 years, Jim Rohn honed his craft like...

finding hope in tragedy
Finding Hope in Tragedy

I am struck by something that seems to be ever-present and...

The Powerful Combination of Words and Emotion
The Powerful Combination of Words and Emotion

Well-chosen words mixed with measured emotions is the basis of affecting...

how to deal with negative influences
How to Deal With the Negative Influences in Your Life

If you were to evaluate the major influences in your life...

master the art of communication
8 Ways to Master the Art of Communication

The better you become at using these tools, the better you’ll...

The 4 Building Blocks of Good Communication
The 4 Building Blocks of Good Communication

Effective communication is a critical component of mastering success. By mastering...

How to Lead in 2021

To truly inspire others, invite them along on your personal journey....

leader
How Do You Want People to See You as a Leader?

For a leader, honesty and integrity are absolutely the keys to...

leader
The Biggest Challenge You’ll Face as a Leader

Once you’ve set a goal for yourself as a leader—whether it’s...

good character
6 Essential Traits of Good Character

Success as a leader is built on the foundation of character....

How You’re Killing Your Productivity
How You’re Killing Your Productivity

Productivity is essential to our feeling of self-esteem, accomplishment, and hopefulness....

5 Tips for Using Your Time Wisely
5 Tips for Using Your Time Wisely

Run the day or it will run you.

Being Successful Is a Personal Choice

The epitome of success is giving a design to your life...

How to Start a New Discipline

Success starts by becoming the master over the small details of...