Leaders Without Character and Strong Values Have No Enemies and Make Poor Decisions
Leaders with strong values and high character seem to be in short supply, most notably political leaders.
But it isn’t only in the political arena where leaders fall short. Any leader has the choice to stand for what they believe in or to cave to what others insist that they do.
As the comedian Groucho Marx, among others, liked to quip, “These are my principles, and if you don’t like them…well, I have others.” Some leaders don’t know their values. Other leaders believe their values and principles need to be negotiable to fit the situation and people involved. And some leaders buy influence by remaining conflicted by decisions or choices where only strong values can light the path forward.
This weakness in character is attractive to some leaders because it doesn’t ruffle feathers or make others uncomfortable. By promoting fluid values, everyone can find a home in what they say and do. Unfortunately, a lack of character strength and strongly held values makes decision-making tremendously problematic.
Because decisions naturally create winners and losers and have consequences that shape the future for people, landing on a choice or conclusion is bound to upset at least a portion of any set of stakeholders.
For those with weak character, this means only making a decision if they are forced to, and then making a choice that most people will like rather than one that is the best or right answer for the problem at hand. Of course, “right” means congruent with long-standing values.
Far too often, leaders allow the volume of dissent, the demands of social media, and the desire to please and accommodate everyone to override their values and what they know is right. The best leaders accept that making hard decisions will result in consequences that will upset at least some people. Choices do that.
To live comfortably into the future with that decision or choice requires a grounding in the values and principles that have stood the test of time and have been held dearly by you in the past. Anything less means submitting to the loudest voices who demand their views be agreed to and acted upon.
True character lights the path to strong decisions. Accept that you’re going to upset some people and make some enemies. Leadership requires it.
Good morning,
Some great points. A while back I read: "character is fate." I have liked that simple statement. The late Stephen R. Covey, PhD, talked about being a principled leader. In the recovery circles, there's a statement: "principles over personalities." I try my best to take that approach. Unfortunately, in the current times, employees are difficult to come by. People are often inclined to sit at home and collect a check. Another thing our government has f***ed up on. I don't understand why, if they are able bodied, we can't have them volunteer (some government place of their choice). Specifically in my department. I only have one employee and we're open seven days a week. When one suffers lack of sleep, chaos, miscommunication, and sub par pay, it's really difficult to want to stick around. Even more difficult to do good work. In the start we do, but after ten to eleven hour days. The motivation is gone, and honestly the discipline doesn't seem to do sh*t.
Anyways, hope y'all are having a good week.
Thanks for your time and take care.
I love this one! Getting clear about what your values are is the first step in leaning into and living them. When you do, it feels really good - like you are aligned with yourself and following the path you need to be on, no matter where that leads.