Character is an essential part of leadership. Anybody who wants to effectively and sustainably lead a group has to have it. This is especially true if you're asking people to take on a difficult task.
Consider this quote from Bill Russell's book, "11 Lessons on Leadership From the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner:" "Trust the teller and you'll trust the tale." This is the opening line from "Lesson Seven - Personal Integrity"
Or consider that the first chapter in John Maxwell's book, "The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader" is focused on character. Here are some of the points he made:
1. Character is more than talk
2. Talent is a gift, but character is a choice
3. Character brings lasting success with people
4. Leaders cannot rise above the limitations of their character
Or consider this quote from "The Complete Art of War, Sun Tzu-Sun Pin" as translated by Ralph Sawyer:
"The general must be righteous.
If he is not righteous, then he will not be severe.
If he is not severe, then he will not be awesome.
If he is not awesome, the troops will not die for him.
Thus righteousness is the head of the army."
I could go on, but I hope you get the idea. People won't make sacrifices and follow leaders down difficult paths if they don't believe in them. The often shocking lack of character displayed by the leaders of many of America's institutions is the primary reason why faith in America's institutions is at historically low levels according to Gallup:
Character is an essential part of leadership. Anybody who wants to effectively and sustainably lead a group has to have it. This is especially true if you're asking people to take on a difficult task.
Consider this quote from Bill Russell's book, "11 Lessons on Leadership From the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner:" "Trust the teller and you'll trust the tale." This is the opening line from "Lesson Seven - Personal Integrity"
Or consider that the first chapter in John Maxwell's book, "The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader" is focused on character. Here are some of the points he made:
1. Character is more than talk
2. Talent is a gift, but character is a choice
3. Character brings lasting success with people
4. Leaders cannot rise above the limitations of their character
Or consider this quote from "The Complete Art of War, Sun Tzu-Sun Pin" as translated by Ralph Sawyer:
"The general must be righteous.
If he is not righteous, then he will not be severe.
If he is not severe, then he will not be awesome.
If he is not awesome, the troops will not die for him.
Thus righteousness is the head of the army."
I could go on, but I hope you get the idea. People won't make sacrifices and follow leaders down difficult paths if they don't believe in them. The often shocking lack of character displayed by the leaders of many of America's institutions is the primary reason why faith in America's institutions is at historically low levels according to Gallup:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/508169/historically-low-faith-institutions-continues.aspx