The Thursday Leadership Insight. Lessons on Character in Leadership from Past Presidents to Guide Leaders in Any Organization Today

Character has long been considered the foundation of leadership. It is the first chapter in your leadership story. Character is defined in the Oxford Dictionary Lexcio online dictionary in three ways ;

1.The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

2. A person in a novel, play, or movie

3. A person is seen in terms of a particular aspect of the character.

Character is as noted in a March 13, 2018 article by the Be Nice Project  What Does It Mean To Have Character? "Character, It's a complicated concept, one that we believe doesn't get enough attention."

The Be Nice Project article notes character "can be defined in several contexts, however character, in the definition we seek to bring to the forefront of business, political and social improvement is; Moral excellence and firmness, earned through one's actions. Character, is a standard of excellence. Adherence to one's values and principles, based on what you do each day

The common thread in both of these definitions is that they are evidenced in action. The character of a leader is seen in action often more than words. Oscar Wilde once often said, "your actions speak so loudly I can't hear your words" The Character of a leader is Who I Am shown in what I do. On Wednesday, as I was watching the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, I was struck that our US Presidents have provided leaders today with timeless wisdom and a legacy of character in leadership. This wisdom can be modeled by any leader of any organization in 2021. This Thursday's Leadership Insight will focus on what is character and what past presidents have taught us about character in leadership, and how it translates to leadership in any organization in 2021.

The US Presidency is a tough job. James K Polk, Our 11th President, noted in the 1840's "with me it is exceptionally true that the Presidency is no bed of roses." John F Kennedy, our 35th President, noted the same recognition of the task of being President in the 1960's".Kenedy noted "for only the President represents the National Interest. Upon him alone converge all the needs and aspirations of all p[arts of the country…all nations of the world."

Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamela Harris's inauguration is a monumental event given the dramatic change of leadership styles and self-serving leadership behaviors leading to social unrest and insurrection compounded by an ongoing pandemic.  This was certainly an unusual but peaceful transition that allows for a reflection on leadership character. The 46b men who have been elected President ( including Gerald Ford) have built a long tradition, a legacy of character in leadership. This model of the character in leadership has been displayed in many different contexts, be it peace and peril. Character in leadership has been a constant in leading all 46 men, positively or negatively, in all these contexts. Many of our past presidents shared their thoughts on leadership and character in leadership, which are often noted in speeches at public events. These insights or bits of leadership wisdom on character are constant in the context of today's challenges. George Washington's character in 1789 as our first President is just as relevant for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris today. It is just as relevant for any leader in any organization today.

Consider these 12 "Pearls of Wisdom from our Past Presidents. These insights are shared in chronological order to help grasp the legacy of character in leadership displayed by our past presidents. Ask yourself how these models of character in leadership can effect your leadership.

1.Our 1st President, George Washington, set the foundation of Character in Leadership by a leader in 1789. He noted his aspirations "I Hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain the most enviable title of an honest man. "Washington understood working together honestly and with humility was preeminent in leadership in forming a new government. He also reminds us leaders must have a vision, courage and discipline, and d resources to move forward.

 2. Our 2nd President, John Adams, clearly understood that a top-level leadership position required more character. He also lost the first political party election and set the example for a gracious and peaceful leadership transition.

3.Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd President, describes action as displaying character by a leader. .He added the Louisiana purchase to nearly double the size of the United States

3. John Quincy Adams, our 6th President and son of our 2nd President provided a definition of leadership that describes who is a leader and how the leader's character is is displayed in behaviors that significantly affect those they serve and lead.

4. Our 7th president Andrew Jackson displayed the legacy of vision and courage in action when faced with a threat from South Carolina to nullify the Constitution. He noted that he, as   President was "the direct representative of the people, "and he moved to end this attempt to split the country.

5. Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, was inaugurated with the nation on the verge of civil war. He was smuggled into Washington via railroad as the invalid brother of Kate Warne, who was, in reality, part of the Chicago based Allan Pinkerton Detective Agency. The Pinkertons' actions saved Lincoln from a secessionists' plot to kill him in Baltimore on route to Washington DC. He understood that character was tested by adversity and power. Lincoln understood the value of a character as a tree, which was firmly rooted. He also understood that character in leadership required action and sacrifice. His action model to preserve the Union and attempts to graciously reunite the country died with his assassination.

6. Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th, became President when President William McKinley was assassinated. Roosevelt understood the power of character in leaders and the importance of empathy in leadership. He noted, "People don't care how much your know until they know how much you care." He also reminded people that "Patriotism meant standing up for the country, not a person" Presidents have noted several times since they are the United States' Presidents, not their party. Those that have followed that example are seen as leaders who were unifiers who served. These leaders are most successful. Sadly we have recently seen leaders who lead by divisiveness, primarily serving themselves. The recent events of the last two weeks are testimony to leadership by divisiveness and personality. 

7. Franklin Roosevelt, the cousin of Theodore Roosevelt, was our 32nd President. He was inaugurated as the nation was in the midst of a devastating depression with 1/3 of the population out of work and European and Asian dictators' rising threats. In his first inaugural address, he assured the American people they had not to cause these issues. The reason was lacking leadership, and there would be a "New Deal." He used the radio's new technology to reach out and connect with the American people via the fireside chat. His innovation and resilience endured four terms. He leads America out of the Great Depression and to victory in World War II, reminding the People that The " only thing we have to fear was fear itself." 

8. Harry Truman became our 33rd President after the death of Franklin Roosevelt. His leadership philosophy was direct and straightforward "Work Hard, Do Your Best, Keep Your Word" He kept a placard on his desk to remind him of the importance of making hard decisions with the saying "The Buck Stops Here "on both sides. One of the first things he learned after FDR had died was that the US possessed a weapon of massive destruction, an Atomic Bomb. His character was showcased by his decision to use the Atomic Bomb to end World War II and save possibly millions of lives. During his presidency, he decided to end a national coal strike and enter the Korean conflict. He also took the vastly unpopular action to remove General MacArthur as commander of forces.

9. Our 33rd President Dwight Eisenhower was an accomplished leader who was Supreme Allied Commander forces in Europe. In World War II. He often reminded leaders that a leader's character, acting in integrity, was foundational to leadership.

10. John F. Kennedy, our 34th President, reminded Americans of their responsibility to build the country in service and work together. He also stressed the character of leadership was developed by learning continuously. He noted, "learning is indispensable to leadership."

11. Lyndon B. Johnson became our 35th President with the assassination of President Kennedy. He displayed the character to build on the legacy of past leaders. He noted, "Nothing makes a man come to grips with his conscience than the Presidency..No longer can he accept matters as given, no longer can he write off hopes and needs as impossible." WhileJohnson is often remembered for his failure in Viet Nam he was also responsible for passing civil rights voting expansion laws and societal changes to address poverty.

12 Barak Obama, our 44th and first African American President, took office amid the great recession in the fall of 2008 and an ongoing war in the middle east. He displayed character in leadership, showing how leaders must empathize with different groups and create change for all Americans. He also reminds us that we are all responsible for the change.

These are but twelve lessons on character in leadership from past Presidents. Our Presidents have not always been perfect men or even successful as Presidents.. Many of their actions, insights, and wisdom provide models to guide leaders today. Leadership character principles such as courage, vision, and honesty evident in Washington's presidency are just as crucial to the Biden Presidency. Past presidents described the character traits such as service, trust, honesty, integrity, courage ,connection ,empathy and vision, service and change to make life better for all are traits all leaders aspire to. They have provided a legacy of character traits for the future leading a country or leading a family. The importance of character in leadership can be seen in voters' opinions, and today The desirability of these leadership character traits was recently noted in a 2020 Gallup poll character traits for voters of all parties are below.

The Gallup voter poll of 2020 used three groupings in reporting, All voters, Republican voters, and Democratic voters to report their findings. I used the All voters group for the rating. The five top-rated traits despite party affiliation are ;  

1.Honest and trustworthy                         65%

2.Shares your values                                       61%

3.Cares about people like you                   59%

4.Can manage the government effectively 51%

5. Keeps promises                                           55%

Kouzes and Posner authors of The Leadership Challenge have collected and published the data on Characteristics of Admired Leaders Survey six times from 1987-2017. The top five rated Characteristics in the United Staes are:

1.    Honest                                                   84%

2.    Forward-looking                                     66%

3.    Inspirational                                             66%

4.    Competent                                              62%

5.    Intelligent                                                47%  

Business leader expert  Warren Buffet reiterated these same beliefs about Character in leadership during an interview and reported on by  Marcel Schwantes for Inc. Warren Buffett Says These Often Ignored Traits Separate Successful Leaders From All OthersLeadership practices that are in short supply at a time when we need them the most. On 1/18/2021.

"We need more leaders with moral integrity to occupy highly influential roles within both our political ranks and the ranks of corporate America. "He notes what is needed is" To shift strategy means shifting belief systems around what a leader is and does. The hypermasculine, tough-guy, charismatic persona that is seen as the ideal leader is a tragic misrepresentation of great leadership. While a strong, smart, and decisive mind is necessary, so is empathy, compassion, and consideration of others. "

The opinions of  American voters of all parties, 30 years of leadership studies, and leaders' thoughts, such as Warren Buffet, are strikingly similar to the 12 thoughts on character in leadership by former Presidents. The leadership model we have recently seen in Washington DC is not the leadership model that has served us well in the past or now. The character in the leadership lessons of past Presidents noted above are a guide for the leadership those we serve, and lead want

The Leadership question for you then is to consider the thoughts of past Presidents, voters, workers, and business leaders and ask your self

 1.What will the first chapter of my leadership story about character in leadership be. How do my leadership actions show my character?

2.What is the effect of my character in leadership on those I lead?

3. What do I need to enhance or change to edit this first chapter?