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Building Character

Building character is one of the most important areas of growth in personal and professional development, if not the most important. Skills, passions, and dreams/visions are major components of the work that people do. However, character demonstrates what people are really made of, and reflects one’s integrity and maturity. In this context, Merriam-Webster defines character as “moral excellence and firmness”. To me, this is what truly sets people apart as great. 

Maybe there are people who you might not have known very well but admired aspects of their lives and work. Then once you got the chance to get to know them better you became disappointed that they weren’t who you thought they were. The missing component was likely character. In my own experiences, what has been most disheartening to see with people who I respect for the work that they do is their attitude about or lack of responsibility and ownership when things don’t go how they want them to or think they should. There could be misunderstandings about expectations, some or all of which were miscommunicated or not communicated at all to begin with. Or there could be misjudgments about a situation, and unwillingness to be open to learning what may not be obvious. How people work through dialogue involving these and other situations involving responsibility and ownership is telling. Do people acknowledge their part to play when things go wrong? Do they point the finger and place blame? Are they able to identify what went well or other positives? Are they willing to gain understanding about what they do not know?

Personally, I’ve been most appreciative of opportunities to speak with people who are great at what they do and can acknowledge their own faults. My respect for and trust in them only increases. I have also found the times that I’ve had to own my mistakes, even in matters that were outside of my control, to be extremely humbling and strengthening.

Attitudes about struggles in general are also important in demonstrating character. It can certainly be hard to maintain a positive attitude when things are not going well. While one may feel upset, being able to remain calm, open to solutions, and hopeful, is significant. Overall, it’s helpful to discern purpose and direction in the midst of challenges - if something needs to be changed or rethought entirely, and how one can grow in an area. 

Consider how you respond in challenging or difficult times. How can you build character when faced with adversity? What is your attitude about responsibility and ownership? How do you remain positive or open to change? 

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.

Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems. 

Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.

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Healthy Messages™ Healthy Messages™

Skill or Character?

There may be a variety of factors that go into why one chooses to go into a particular role (work, volunteer, or other). For many, it’s the utilization of skills, abilities, or strengths that draws them to their work. Additionally, one may feel drawn to an organization’s mission or vision. Likewise, for entrepreneurs, it’s the fulfillment of a personal purpose that motivates them to start something of their own. Yet, what maintains one’s work in their respective role(s) isn’t skill alone. Character is just as important, if not more in particular contexts. 

Character as it relates to this writing can be defined as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual; the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation; moral excellence and firmness; or reputation (Merriam-Webster). For me, these definitions speak to that which separates individuals from others, including the choice to stay true to oneself and/or others and one’s values. 

A leader or a hiring professional may not always know the breadth of qualities individuals coming on to a team possess but when considering individuals who have similar skills, the attributes or features that may set someone apart, or their character, could make the difference. As time goes on in a role, skills and/or character may become more apparent, further solidifying the value that individuals bring to an organization or mission/vision. On the other hand, challenges in skills and/or character may be more evident over time, prompting one’s position or role to be reconsidered. If skills are lacking, it is certainly possible to find out where someone’s skills may be best utilized or where additional training and support may be needed. In other words, skills can be learned or transferred. However, if someone’s character is in question, particularly as it concerns ethical decision making, morals, or reputation which negatively impacts one’s work, this could jeopardize one’s position or role, regardless of the skills that could be utilized or gained.  

The character of individuals in leadership or ownership of a business may also be what sets organizations apart for individuals looking for opportunities to utilize their skills or strengths. Especially at this current time when individuals are seeking changes in the workplace, the quality of their experiences matter. It is less likely for someone to stay with an organization where they feel undervalued, overworked, and/or mistreated. What do you look for in others’ character? What do others say about your character, and what is its impact personally and professionally? Lastly, how are you building both skills and character?

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.

Healthy Messages™ helps professionals, leaders, and business owners in human services improve, craft, and implement communication within and across systems. 

Learn more about Healthy Messages™ mission, vision, and outcomes.

Read More