Does Character Really Matter in Leadership?

In times of hardship, when the going gets rough and the path seems bleak, that’s when true character emerges. Leadership isn’t just about making the right choices when the stakes are low or when the world is watching; it’s about doing what’s right when everything around you says you could get away with doing otherwise.

A lesson I learned from my great-grandfather, a Civil War soldier, taught me why character matters most in the toughest of times.

During the Civil War, my great-grandfather, Henry A. Stoffregen, of Company C., 5th Ohio V.I. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 20 Corps, served as a Union soldier—a “blue coat.” His journey, recorded in his daily journal, paints a vivid picture of hardship, sacrifice, and honor in one of history’s most grueling conflicts.

The year was 1863. He had been at war for over two years; he had fought fiercely through many battles. By this time, he had witnessed many of his fellow soldiers, many he knew as friends, losing their lives. The days were often exceptionally long and exhausting. For years, he trudged miles each day through rain and mud, often without proper shelter or even shoes, enduring long stretches without food. Soldiers were barely compensated for their sacrifices, earning the equivalent of about $8 a day in today’s currency. Imagine risking your life daily, knowing that if you didn’t make it home, there wouldn’t even be a savings account left for your family. This was the reality for soldiers like my great-grandfather.

Amidst these relentless hardships came a moment that would reveal the depth of his character. In the brutal Battle of Gettysburg, after a night spent fighting on little sleep and even less food, he found a gold watch. This wasn’t just a simple trinket; it was a valuable treasure for a man deprived of basic necessities. He could have easily pocketed it as a small way to “compensate” for the unforgiving life of a soldier. No one saw him pick it up, no one would know if he kept it, and there was no shortage of reasons to feel that he deserved it. But here’s the thing—he didn’t keep it.

His daily journal captures the intense daily sacrifices he endured:

1863

• June 29 – Left Frederick City 5 A.M. Marched until 8 P.M. It rained in the morning.
• June 30 – Left camp 7 A.M. Came to town 2 P.M. where the enemy had been in the morning. We camped in the woods at night. Our regiment had to go on Picket guard.
• July 1 – Left camp 9 A.M. Marched through a little town and camped at 1 P.M. Marched at 3 P.M. and formed a line of battle 6 P.M. Our regiment had to go on Picket.
• July 2 – Came off Picket 6 A.M. Marched back 2 miles and took arms and left our place 7 P.M. Went 4 miles to the right, stayed there until 12 A.M. and went back to the left again.
• July 3 – We took our position. The fight commenced 3:15 A.M. We repulsed the enemy every time, and the firing stopped 11:15 A.M. We went behind the entrenchments at 2 P.M. Was relieved at 9 P.M. I found a gold watch. This was the BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

My great-grandfather’s journal reveals his integrity in a single understated line, written eight months after finding the watch:

1864

• March 23 – [Eight months and 20 days after Gettysburg] A nice day. I got relieved 9 A.M. I signed my name to give Col. Wm. Patrick $1.00 for the gold watch I found.

This moment wasn’t about a watch; it was about character. It was about choosing to do what was right in the harshest of circumstances. In this act, my great-grandfather showed that character, in the end, is everything. His choice to turn in the watch, which no one claimed, allowed him to keep it by paying for it—a decision made even when no one would have known if he hadn’t. This act demonstrated three key reasons why character is essential in leadership, especially during difficult times.

1. Integrity Earns Trust

When leaders demonstrate integrity, especially when no one is watching, they earn unshakeable trust. My great-grandfather’s act of returning the watch showed that he valued honesty above personal gain, even in extreme hardship. True leaders do what’s right because their integrity matters more than any reward.

2. Character Is a Compass in Hard Times

Character provides a clear compass, even in the darkest times. Leaders frequently face tough choices, where the right path isn’t the easy one. My great-grandfather’s decision wasn’t about rules or rewards; it was about a core belief that guided him through ethical choices, even when those choices came at a cost. This is how leaders maintain their values and, ultimately, their sense of self.

3. Legacy of Character Inspires Others

Character leaves a legacy that can inspire others for generations. My great-grandfather could never have guessed that 160 years later, his story would teach his great-grandchild an invaluable lesson about the enduring power of integrity. Leaders who embody strong character create a ripple effect, shaping the lives of others long after they are gone.

At the end of the day, character isn’t just what you show to others—it’s who you are when no one is watching. In leadership, this is everything. It’s the one thing that remains when all else fades, and it’s something no one can take from you.

So, does character matter in leadership? I would say, without a doubt. Character is what defines true leaders.

"What other ways do you believe character shapes great leadership, especially when times are tough? Share your thoughts below!"