Rick Torrison breaks down character as who you are under pressure, then names four traits of high-character people: valuing others, passion, perspective, and consistency. He ties character growth directly to leadership, drawing on John Maxwell's work.
Welcome back to part two of Character Matters. So what does character look like? What qualities define someone with great character? You know, I believe it begins by understanding that character is about who a person is, not simply what a person does. Character. It's all about who we are on the inside. That will ultimately be expressed by how we act and interact with others. It's what comes out of us in times of stress and pressure. You know, while we can't teach character, it can be recognized, nurtured, and grown. Strong character is the foundation of strong leadership. And remember, we've talked about leadership before. Leadership, as we talk about it, isn't about a position, a title, or a paycheck. Leadership is how we have a positive influence and impact on the people and the world around us. That's all about our character. John Maxwell in the Law of the Ladder says that character growth determines the height of your personal growth. Our character growth is a ladder of intentional steps that result in our inside matching what we do on the outside. So how do you know if someone is a person of character? Or more personally, how do you know if you are a person of character? Can I share four traits that we see and find in people of high character? The first trait that we see in people of character is that people matter. It's the platinum rule, not the golden rule. Treat others as they want to be treated. The second characteristic, passion, matters. Passion says, I will live my life out of my beliefs. Borrowed beliefs have no passion. Passion comes from knowing who you are and what you stand for. The third characteristic, perspective, matters. The question is, are you willing to see things from a different perspective? And the real question is, are you teachable? Are you able to recognize that your way may not be the only way or even the right way? Finally, the last characteristic I would mention to you is consistency matters. Anyone can fake good character for a minute, but only those with true character can stand the test of time. The truth is, the character growth is a lifetime commitment. It's like the ladder of success. The rungs are the steps to great leadership. And those rungs are built on those core values that guide your life and define your character. What are the rungs on your character ladder? So, my friends, thanks again for being a part of this transformational leadership community and investing in your own personal growth. High character is all about people. It's about passion, it's about perspective, and it's all about consistency. Who you are on the inside will always pour out to the outside. Thanks, my friends, for continuing to journey with us on this transformational leadership journey. I'm Rick Torson, and as always, I am believing that your best is yet to come.
