Written By Lesallan – February 22, 2024
The Force of Character in Leadership
Lesallan Bostron
Ohio Christian University
LDR3200 Organizational Leadership (ONLSP24)
Dr. James Leak III
February 22, 2024
The Force of Character in Leadership
The significance of reflective journaling in examining leadership and character is the topic of this text. It commendably features Northouse’ “Leadership: Theory and Practice” (Northouse, 2016) and Maxwell’ “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” (Maxwell, 1999) as valuable resources. Northouse’s book provides a comprehensive coverage of leadership research, which assists students in comparing various theories easily. On the other hand, Maxwell stresses the importance of character in effective leadership. Finally, White (2015) presents nine essential traits for building a great character that people will value more.
The concept of leadership character is multifaceted, encompassing various critical elements such as courage, loyalty, diligence, modesty, honesty, and gratitude. Real courage is not simply the lack of fear, but the power to act on your beliefs and motivate others to do the same. Loyalty serves as a binding force that nurtures trust and cultivates mutual commitment within a team. A leader must be unafraid of change and willing to do what is right, even in the face of difficulty.
The assigned text delved into the significance of possessing strong character as a leader. Leaders who display strong character tend to earn respect and motivate their teams. Developing these attributes requires continual effort. Leadership coaching can prove to be a valuable resource to aid leaders in achieving positive transformation at the fundamental levels of their inner being.
Leadership is incomplete without strong character. It is important to keep in mind that a leader’s character plays a significant role in shaping their actions and decisions, ultimately defining how they are perceived by their followers. To become more effective and successful, leaders must prioritize the development of their character traits. Character is the driving force behind leadership.
References:
Maxwell, J. C. (1999). The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.
White, M. (2015, September 6). How to build more CHARACTER. Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1P4La3Ugq4
