Hey boss, character counts!

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

For me, there's nothing worse in the workplace than a boss with terrible character. Actually, boss is the wrong title. They are what they are: bullies!

They're easy to spot. They will be blaming others, raising their voices, slamming the door, pounding the table, turning red-faced, dodging responsibility, avoiding communication, keeping to themselves, rarely ask for input instead preferring to give directions, and are often taking the credit for the work and ideas of others.

They can't develop others because they haven't developed themselves. I personally feel sorry for them as individuals. They are insecure and shouldn't be in a leadership position. But, they are.

Why? One reason is because there aren't enough of those that blame the bad bosses accepting the responsibility of becoming a better boss. Those following the boss often have a lot of character work to do too. And, they also have a tough time looking in the mirror. That's why they are following a bad boss...they don't have any other options. Due to their own poor character, they blame the boss because they have to follow them.

When it comes to character, remember this: If you fake it, you won’t make it. You can see right through someone faking it when it comes to caring for you; others can do the same when it comes to you caring for them. Character is the key. No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

Who you are on the inside is what people experience on the outside.

Merriam-Webster’s definition of character:

• the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves: someone’s personality
• 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
• main or essential nature especially as strongly marked and serving to distinguish
• moral excellence and firmness

I define high impact character as: thinking, feeling, and acting in a congruent way while making excellent moral and ethical choices based on self-evident natural laws and principles.

Mahadev Desai, Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary, when asked how Gandhi could speak for hours, without notes, while mesmerizing his audiences said, “What Gandhi thinks, what he feels, what he says, and what he does are all the same. He does not need notes. You and I, we think one thing, feel another, say a third, and do a fourth, so we need notes and files to keep track.”

Desai was describing what it means to be congruent. Gandhi walked the talk. His actions matched his words in everything he did. He was real. He was a whole person.

We need to not only be congruent with what comes out of our mouth, but also what comes out of our heart. We must work constantly to align our words, actions, and beliefs with natural laws and principles. Our ability to live in harmony with these natural laws and principles determines the level of trust we are able to build with others along our development journey.

Stop and Think:

When someone does what they say they will do or lives how they say they will live, do they build trust or create distrust? Do they have more or less influence if they are congruent? If they are not congruent?

What we think we will do is important. What we say we will do is more important. But, what we actually do is most important.

Once we go public with our thoughts, we have made a commitment or promise to be or do something. Now, we either demonstrate congruency, or we don’t. We will either build trust or create distrust.

Do you keep commitments? Do you walk the talk? Do you care who you are? Do you care what you say? What impact are you having on your ability to influence others?

Character counts. It serves as a multiplier of your competency.

Those with the exact same skill set and abilities will achieve a wide range of results. Some will struggle financially. Some will be wealthy. Some will have no options. Some will have many options. Some will end up in prison. Some will be on top of the world.

What's the difference if the skill set and ability is the same? The difference is the individual's character. Who we are matters.

"Character is personal, but it is not private. Everyone who knows you has an opinion about the kind of person you are." ~ Andy Stanley

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• Managing vs Leading
• Scarcity vs Abundance
• Formal Authority vs Moral Authority
• The 5 Types of Leaders
• Compare/Contrast 17 Manager vs Leader Perspectives

Click here to access the first 5 chapters of “Blue-Collar Leadership: Leading from the Front Lines.”

• 1: I’m one of you.
• 2: I believe in you.
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• 5: There is an “I” in Team.

Note: I encourage you to be a river, not a reservoir. Please share my blogs with others if you find value in them. I believe in abundance and write them to help others become more effective, successful, and significant.

Make an impact!

Mack Story

My passion is to help you live with abundance, achieve success, choose significance, and leave a legacy. In other words, I want to help you make a High Impact !

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Mack’s story is an amazing journey of personal and professional growth. He began his career in manufacturing on the front lines of a machine shop. He grew himself into upper management and found his niche in lean manufacturing and along with it, developed his passion for leadership. He understands that everything rises and falls on leadership.

Mack is the author of Blue-Collar Leadership Series, Defining Influence, & 10 Values of High Impact Leaders. He's an inspiration for people everywhere as an example of achievement, growth, and personal development. His passion inspires people all over the world! Order signed copies here.

Mack’s experience as a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Speaker includes an international training event in Guatemala with John as part of the Cultural Transformation in Guatemala where more than 20,000 Guatemalan leaders were trained.

Contact Mack at 334-728-4143 or [email protected] for Keynote Speaking, Corporate Training, Professional Leadership Development, Cultural Enhancement/Transformation, and Process Improvement.