In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper are joined by Brad Lomenick to talk about the importance of high character for a leader and the impact it has on an organization. Everyone knows character is important, but can you define it? Do you know why it matters. We discuss the following:

* What is “character” comprised of?

* Can a leader lead effectively without having high character?

* What are the marks of a leader lacking in character?

* What happens over time to an organization led by someone lacking in high character?

* What are practical ways to maintain and build character?

BEST QUOTES

“Everyone talks about character, but they don’t talk about what character is.”

“A word that comes to mind when I think of character is integrity.”

“Morality is also a piece of character.”

“The motives of a high character person are always looking for the greater good and everyone’s best interests.”

“If leadership is about developing other leaders it’s nearly impossible to do without high character.”

“If your organization wants a dynasty it needs to focus on having people with character.”

“Character leaks. If you’re not filling it up it’s draining out.”

“Part of character is knowing what you can and cannot handle, what temptations you will face.”

“The way you treat people who can do nothing for you says a lot about your character.”

“A leader of high character is not going to treat somebody differently because their dad is somebody or their title is something.”

“It doesn’t take talent to be a person of high character.”

“An average Joe can be an extraordinary Joe by having high character.”

“Loss of character is bleeding to death by a thousand little paper cuts.”

“Rationalize one area of your life and it will have a massive trickle down effect..”

“Be willing to ask yourself tough questions and have people around you who ask you those tough questions.”

“Private life determines public legacy.”

“If we don’t maintain a soft heart it will get hard much quicker than we realize.”

“I’m worse than I think I am.”

“Once you want to believe something because it falls in line with your behavior you’re in a really dangerous spot.”

“There’s a fine line between privacy and hiding things.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller

The Case for Character by Drayton Nabers

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders