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Character matters. It is foundational to any sustainable and sustaining solution. Without it, distrust and dissonance and doubt ... and more. Division.

CONSIDER CHARACTER

Character is more than being "good" or "strong". It is the application and practice of Virtue when and where and how needed. Technology is a tool. Character is the hand that best wields it. Consider:

• Anne Frank said of Character and perfection that "Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness." Character is not about perfect as noun and destination but perfect as verb and journey. To strive nobly, for better; this is Character.

• Jacqueline Bisset spoke to the timeless Beauty of Character in saying, "Character contributes to beauty. It fortifies a woman as her youth fades. A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude, and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful." Regardless of gender, Character cannot be taken away, only relinquished; and it is the most elegant and enduring element of Beauty.

• Abraham Lincoln addressed the foundation that is Character, saying, "Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." Character and its practice manifest our best and deepest sense of "brand".

• Bruce Lee connected Character and Respect in saying, "Knowledge will give you power, but character respect." Helen Keller wrote, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Life is joy and pain, a dance of all emotions. But Character is best grounded in how we face our circumstances. Success is a test. Failure is a test. Character is anchor, ballast, rudder and sail amidst the ups and downs, ins and outs of life. And to Bruce's point it wins hard and well earned Respect.

• The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." In these times of change and challenge, we need greater Discernment and Sagacity. Intelligence is not simply found in IQ or even EQ. The notion of Character intelligence matters if we are to better critically think and creatively solve. Character is not warm and fluffy kumbaya. It is the substance of great learning and teaching.

Then, Bahá’u’lláh said, "The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct." Enter, Character.

These words immediately above speak to addressing both the responding overwhelm and underwhelm in the world. In the face of a world in need, we best need understand that technology is but a tool, and that our best saving Grace going forward is to rise up into our best sense of Character. Pure and goodly deeds are without greed and hidden motive, nor agenda. Commendable and seemly conduct is that which is truly remark-able... and inspiring. Both help make the world locally and globally a better world and future for us all... a noble and needed goal and just cause.

THE WORK

Character, in large part, is about doing the work. Personally, I work one to one, and in small and larger groups ... with Entrepreneurs, Educators and Emerging Leaders ... as leaders seeking to unite and inspire... to more effectively respond to change… and constructively create it. I study, practice and help move the needle on Character and Purpose and Unity. I write on it. I have conversations around it. I study on it. My work is inspired by that global work of The Virtues Project... and that of Personality and Temperament... aspects of the myriad manifestations of Character. And there is a science around Character... indeed and in deed.

Character is about our Countenance and Gait amidst change, challenge, trail, trial and triumph alike. It is a more foundational form of Confidence. It understands and engages The Infinite Game. It understands the importance of meaning. It manifests a healthy approach to grief. It stands in the face of toxic positivity. It moves us from going through the motions to getting to the mission. It grounds Leadership, beyond style and technique... to rise... to live, lead and better serve.

GOING FORWARD

Consider this on a Leader Character Framework... from the Ivey Business School.

Transcendence, Drive (Zeal), Collaboration (Cooperation), Humanity, Humility, Integrity, Temperance, Justice, Accountability, and Courage... all Virtues. All a part of my lifelong Curiosity and Passion.

All of this is to say that my work now and forward is in advancing and sharpening the blades on Character, Purpose and Unity as foundations and forces for a better world and future at home, school, work, business, community, country and planet. There was a time when, to unite and inspire used to be a “good thing” for leaders to do.?It was a nice thought… a “get around to”…?mom and apple pie stuff.?Hold hands.?Sing Kumbaya. That time is done.??The rules have all changed. They’re about to change again and going forward.??Change is consistently at the gate… change of the rules and even the game itself. There is no choice. REALLY.?Forward together, stronger; all hands on deck, valued and valuable.?United and inspired.?It’s game time, and a new game!??

CLARITY on CHARACTER

With that in mind, let us reconsider the Virtues below:

For yourself or your classroom, team, company, organization or community... consider 5 driving Virtues that might define your very own Countenance and Gait; your very own anchor, ballast, rudder and sail. What is your Character DNA? What are the Virtues with which you roll? For example...

Temperance, Curiosity, Resourcefulness, Boldness and Wholeheartedness... imagine what they would look like in practice, action and delivery; consistently. Imagine. Think on what they would look like on the ground, real-time, real-world. Yes, ponder the Virtues. Think upon what 5 might be your Character DNA... or that of your school, work, business or community. Consistency of Countenance and Gait, builds Trustworthiness. Others know what they will get in experience with us.

Today’s unprecedented challenges in the world require a cool strength of Character, Purpose and Unity at school, work, business and community; a strong rudder, anchor and north star to navigate?and?create constructive change and true prosperity.??As leaders looking to successfully respond to change… and make constructive change happen, on the ground, real-world, real-time… we need ever more to unite and inspire in doing so. Having a true sense of our best Character matters. ??

Join the CLUB

Indeed, I do work one to one, and in small and larger groups ... with Entrepreneurs, Educators and Emerging Leaders ... as leaders seeking to unite and inspire... to more effectively respond to change… and constructively create it. I bring a depth and breadth of education and experience ... with The Virtues Project and Personality Dimensions and Business Education and 40+ years in leadership training and development ... to those Entrepreneurs, Educators and Emerging Leaders intent on moving the needle on the Global Goals at school, work, business and community. The Goals are opportunities in Education and Business alike. They help us imagine that future for us all.

I have often said that I will not change the world but I will be the 900 pound Gorilla who will have the back of those that do. I equip those who will ... with work around Character and Purpose and Unity as forces for the kind of leadership that galvanizes, unites and inspires. I am The Unity Guy and Epic Engage is The Character Leadership Company; my own Service initiative around humans together, strong. It is my just cause.

Yup, yip, uh-huh... I am all about Character Leadership and Unity Building... and I humbly invite you to join the CLUB. Character matters. If you are "on board" or want to be, you will find me here. Reach out and let us help each other build a better world at in our classrooms, companies and communities.

Peace.

Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.

Me?on LinkedIn

CHECK OUT

• The Character LENS to Lead
• Developing Leadership Character – Ivey Business Journal

• TUGtv
• The Global Goals
• The Virtues Project

Epic Engage

• You?are an Activant … an Educator, Entrepreneur or Emerging Leader who is looking to make constructive change happen, on the ground, real-world, real-time. You are world-embracing and noble-hearted. You seek to mobilize a strong, united and character-driven team to change the world or your corner of it. You want to lead, inspire, educate and unite in doing so.?Let’s go build a better world!

On the other hand, I?am an Activant too; an Educator and Entrepreneur by experience, education and?Enthusiasm... with 40 years in leadership training and development, 27 years in business college education and 20 years certified and associated with?The Virtues Project. Additionally certified for 16 years in?Temperament?Assessment and with a longstanding body of work around Character Leadership, I help advance?conversation, consultation and capacity around?Character,?Purpose?and?Unity...?and?the?global goals. My work in business and education is to help those building a better world at school, work, business and community; locally and globally.?Humans together, strong.... that is?my?meaning... and?the space I can stay forever. To that?just cause, I commit.