The Purpose is to Serve

A leader’s purpose is to serve. Period. They do not engage in self-pity or self-congratulations. They do not focus exclusively on what success means for them or their future. They take action and make decisions to best serve their mission and the people around them - not themselves. They recognize that they have the power to do that, but that they cannot do it alone. And they know that if the purpose of leading is to serve they must have Character.

"Character is about candor," my dad would say to me. "It's about integrity, and standing up for what you believe. It's about consistency with these things over time."

Character can be hard to define with words - but it is clear when we observe it in someone's life. It's one thing to declare our beliefs and values, but it's quite another thing to stand up for those values day after day before the world, when under pressure, attack, scrutiny, or criticism.

Why am I writing about character? What does it have to do with leadership? Character is one of those qualities that distinguish people with great impact from those without. There are four essential truths about character.

1. Character is critical when the going gets tough.?In my experience, nothing meaningful or of substance comes about without a fight, because change is always hard. The status quo has great power. Tough times demand great character from us.
2. Contrary to popular opinion, the ends never justify the means.?Sometimes it can be very tempting in the short term to cut corners, to do what feels necessary--though maybe not right--to achieve an end. But in the long run, it never pays off.
3. Character demands reflection, and reflection can't be rushed.?Taking a few moments, or longer, to contemplate the right decision is a sign of great leadership and great maturity.
4. The more we manifest strength of character, the stronger our character becomes.?Building character is a self-perpetuating process, not unlike the effect of building muscle on the human frame. As you set your mind, your heart, and your will on choosing integrity again and again, as time goes on you will become the person of character you long to be.

Resolve today to manifest character, to pursue peace, to tell the truth. As you pursue integrity, in these and countless other ways, your power will be multiplied. The choices you make today will pay big dividends.