Character: The Foundation of Leadership - Cedrick LaFleur

Introduction

​Mahatma Gandhi, “A man of character will make himself worthy of any position he is given.”

You can’t add value to people unless you see people as value. Working on your character is a never-ending yet totally worthwhile effort. 

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Show Objectives
Character is not made in crisis it is revealed in crisis. 

Key Issues 

What You Need to Know
3 Questions that people ask about their leader: 

1. Do you like me?
   • People don’t want to work with or follow someone that doesn’t like them or better yet if they don’t like you. 
2. Can you help me? 
   • In other words if I do follow you is it going to get better. 
3. Can I trust you?
   • This is essential in a leader - follower relationship. 

 
Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of leadership.  Character makes trust possible and trust makes leadership possible. 

What You Need to Do
APPLICATION: Developing the Person of Character Within You 

1. EMBRACE GOOD VALUES 
2. PRACTICE SELF-LEADERSHIP
3. VALUE PEOPLE 

CHARACTER VALUE STATEMENTS 
Ask: What areas of your character do you need to develop? 

Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.  YOU CAN CHANGE.

I’m going to give you a couple reasons why good character is worth pursuing: 

1. Good Character Builds Strong Trust. 
2. Successful Leaders Embrace the Four Dimensions of Character.

• Authenticity
• Self-management 
• Humility
• Courage

3. Character Makes You Bigger on the Inside than on the Outside.


Ask and Rate Yourself (1-10 low to high):
Then ask a significant other or long time friend to rate you:
Then ask a co-worker/employee to rate you:
Then ask someone that has a new relationship with you:

1. Am I who I say I am?
2. Do I do what I say I will do?
3. Would I be the same at work if my child/friend was there?
4. Would I be the same at home if my team were there?

To keep grounded, I ask myself some questions: 

Consistency: Am I the same person no matter who I am with? 

Choices: Do I make decisions that are best for others even when another choice would benefit me?
Credit: Am I quick to recognize others for their efforts and contributions to my success? 


Shows

• Previous: EPISODE D6.010 Personal Growth is Required to Expand your Leadership
• Next: D6.012 The 5 Elements of Emotional Intelligence

Written by: Cedrick LaFleur, LaFleur Leadership Institute
          www.lafleurleadershipinstitute.com
          cedrick.lafleur2@gmail.com
          832-722-0522
             
                Talk Leadership with Cedrick on Radio airs Thursday, 4pmCST  https://www.ibgr.network/
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