Why is Character So Important?

Someone has said, “Character is who you are when nobody’s looking.” When you scratch the surface of a leader and look beneath his or her personality, you’ll find character. It is judged by reliability and consistency of thought and action. Character, not credentials or accomplishments, is what truly distinguishes effective leaders from the rest.

To have strong character, you must be persistently and consistently the best you, you can be. You must be reliable and have continuity in your thoughts, words, actions, and deeds. Your character is a reflection of the real you. It is based on what is really important to you – what you value. It is the unseen part of you that is eventually revealed in your daily actions. Those actions – which are driven by what you value – form the habit forces in your life. Your habit forces establish your character and your character ultimately determines your destiny.

Aristotle said, “The ultimate aim of human life and activity is development of character.” I would slightly modify his thought from the development of character to the development of “Christ-like” behavior. My encouragement to you … develop the kind of personality and Christ-like character that earns you the respect, esteem, and affection of the important people in your world.

So, why is character so important? It ultimately determines your destiny. When you develop your character, you move from a destiny of default to a destiny of design!

Focus everyday on developing your character … and begin designing your destiny!