NOVEMBER 5, 2021
CHARACTER
According to Bohdi Sanders, a best-selling author, “Your reputation is what others think of you. Your character is what you truly are.” John Wooden, famed UCLA basketball coach, reminds us, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” In addition; “Reputations can be manipulated while character can only be developed and maintained.”
Our business world and society today often reward people based on their results. Unfortunately, too many of us stoop at anything to obtain results of profit, power or fame, based on our perceived reputation. (This might be a lack of self-esteem) You might find that boss that climbs the ladder of success by manipulating numbers, people and even their own character in search of higher individual rewards. I hope you are one of those who chooses a good character over an unmerited reputation. Your reputation does matter as much as your character because the way people perceive you is who they imagine you to be. Do you need to WIN all of the time or are you looking for that double win where others win alongside of you? Are you the “Wizard of Oz” or do you have impeccable character? Who people imagine you to be, determines how they will interact with you, what they offer you, whether or not they want to work with you, trust levels, and whether or not they show up for you.
Character is the distinctive qualities of an individual, whereas reputation is the “general opinion of others of a certain person.” Character is built through individual effort whereas reputation is built by others. Character is true to oneself, but reputation may not be so. If you are a leader of an organization, are you willing to commit, hold yourself accountable, be vulnerable and engage with others? (I call this the CAVE method.) If you can maintain a balance of these four important words, then you just may have a chance of building a great culture (and reputation) for your organization.
What are YOU doing to develop and maintain a good character? Do you have integrity, honesty, courage, loyalty, fortitude, along with other important virtues that promote GOOD behavior? Do you do the right thing ALL of the time or do you fudge once in a while just to get a better outcome? J.C. Watts reminds us; “Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.” If you have half a conscience at all, you might want to do the right thing more often as it becomes easier to deal with the truth. Be self-aware but “Be TRUE to yourself.”
You should be aware of your reputation but your character is more important. Play the end-game of developing and maintaining a good and noble character. What you think about most is what you end up becoming. So, remember; your rewards will come in the lasting legacy you leave to those you love and not just your checking account.
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day: “People are interested by talent. God is impressed by character.” Rick Warren