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Chapter 5

DEMONSTRATING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

Leadership Character

A person’s true character is revealed by what he does when no one else is
watching. Unknown.

Few would argue that the most successful and effective organizations are
those that strive constantly for excellence. This striving begins with the top
leadership of the organization. However, leaders do not command

excellence, they build excellence. Excellence is “being all you can be”
within the bounds of doing what is right for your organization. If
excellence begins with leadership, then that leader must be of good
character. A leader’s character shapes the culture of his or her
organization and subsequently the public opinion about the organization.

A leader’s character is what you consistently experience with that
individual. The example of their conduct determines to a great extent the
influence they have over their followers. In other words, who you “really
are” affects how effective you will be in leading others. Ghandi, for

example, believed that his personal life gave him the credibility that
enabled him to be a successful leader.

If you want to be a great leader of others, you must first become a great
leader of yourself. John Spence.

Clearly, individuals cannot be effective leaders if their personal lives are a
mess. People won’t trust someone who has significant slips in character. If
it is evident that your followers are unreliable or untrustworthy, then it is
important to examine your character to determine why you are attracting
those types of follower.

No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character. British
politician and writer John Morley.

Leadership is certainly about character, but that character needs to be
enhanced by competence for it to be effective. On the other hand,

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