Character Matters with Todd Dionne

In this podcast I have the opportunity to interview two business owners and business influencers in Austin, TX.  Joel Coffman and Scholley Bubenik head up the Ethics in Business Alliance in Austin whose purpose is to help businesses become aware of the importance of ethical business practices to enhance a company culture that can create more business opportunities, enhance company reputation, improve employee retention and customer satisfaction. Those are just a few of the potential benefits of joining the Ethics in Business Alliance movement. 

Discover more at www.recognizegood.org. 

In this episode I continue to explore how the Ten Commandments, one of the world's longest standing social contracts, is still relevant today and why we should continue to explore the implications on culture and society if we eliminate them from our national and personal consciousness. 

In this episode you'll discover what is required to have a moral foundation for strong character. Morals are deeply rooted in religion and influenced by philosophy. Essentially, morals are personal values, but as we will see these values cannot be subjective from one individual to the next. As you'll hear there needs to be some kind of universal moral honor code that at the very least sets the lowest limits of acceptable behavior. I suggest that if you start anywhere you might ought to consider the 10 Commandments, especially since morals are influenced by both religion and philosophy. It seems like a very basic place to start building a foundation. I think you'll appreciate looking at the 10 Commandments in the way that I have communicated them in this episode. In the episode I'll cover the first 5 of the 10 commandments. So dust off those bibles and get ready to check the quality of your moral foundation. 

Maybe Stephen Covey had the right idea when he stated, "Most of the great cultural shifts – ones that have built great organizations [and might I add nations and societies] that sustain long-term growth, prosperity and contribution to the world – started with the choice of one person. Regardless of the person’s position, these people first changed themselves from the inside out."

In this episode I ask some tough questions about our character and what current events reveals about the character of our nation and of our fellow citizens. The reason for the protest is justifiable however the riots, looting, death and destruction of private property should make us reflect on the motives, intents and excuses people make for turning violent and destructive.

Where does the reform that is needed begin? 

Right now Character Matters more than one can imagine. It will be the difference between finding and implementing mutually beneficial solutions or alienating one another and things remaining the same. 

In this episode we will explore the one key character trait that must be developed so that you can turn challenges, failures, and setbacks into stepping stones for success. Unfortunately, many people give you far to early therefore they do not experience the fruit of their efforts or see their dreams become reality. 

You'll discover 11 steps you can take that can help you to develop and maintain a state of perseverance so that you are prepared to overcome hopelessness which will enable you to (per) make it through (severe) grave and serious circumstances.  

Don't overlook the role of perseverance in your life and how it is used to mold you character for greater opportunities and challenges and greater levels of success. 

On today's episode you'll hear the definition as integrity as a virtue but I will take you deeper introducing you to the The Law of Integrity. It's likely that you have never heard integrity explained in the manner that I explain in this episode. Integrity is the core virtue of all of the virtues therefore your character will align to your virtues or vices, whichever governs you inner life. The Law of Integrity will help you understand why you are the way you are and why your character is what it is. I'll not just help you know what it is that is limiting you I'll also take you past just putting band-aids on your character by providing 6 suggestions that can help you on your journey towards high-grade character. 

In this episode I interview Pat Williams about his most recent book, Character Carved in Stone - The 12 Core Virtues of West Point That build Leaders and Produce Success. You will be encouraged and challenged to pursue your character development as you hear Pat's insights that he provides from his own character journey and what we can learn from the virtues taught to future leaders at West Point Academy. .

I encourage all you who are leaders, influencers and upcoming leaders purchase and add this book to your library! Amazon Link follows or you can find the book in the business section of major bookstores. https://www.amazon.com/Character-Carved-Stone-Virtues-Leaders/dp/0800728831/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JUZSWRQ98767&keywords=character+carved+in+stone+pat+williams&qid=1576002532&sprefix=character+carved+in+stone%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1

Today, I discuss the book, The Character Gap - How Good Are We?, with the author Dr. Christian B. Miller. Dr. Miller's book dives into the topic character using studies and research that can help one come to a more realistic conclusion about his degree of character. Dr. Miller doesn't stop there. He also encourages us to take the steps to improve our character by making real life application of research, philosophy and spirituality. I highly recommend that you purchase and of course read this book for yourself because one of the first steps to improve your character is self awareness and this work will make you acutely self aware of the condition of your character. You can purchase the book through the Amazon link provided and you can follow Dr. Miller on social media using the tag - @CharacterGap https://www.amazon.com/Character-Gap-Good-Philosophy-Action/dp/0190264225/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XX8EVTLJ52L7&keywords=the+character+gap+how+good+are+we+by+christian+b+miller&qid=1573483900&sprefix=the+character+gap%2Caps%2C597&sr=8-1

Christian B. Miller is A.C. Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University and Director of the Character Project, funded by the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton World Charity Foundation. He is the author of over 75 papers as well as two books with Oxford University Press, Moral Character: An Empirical Theory (2013) and Character and Moral Psychology (2014). He is also the editor or co-editor of Essays in the Philosophy of Religion (Oxford University Press), Character: New Directions from Philosophy, Psychology, and Theology (Oxford University Press), and several other volumes. 

Are you tired of compromising your character for short term gain or small time wins? It is time that you learned the steps you can take to stop compromising and start winning in life. 

In this episode you will hear sin defined in a way that is broader than moral compromise, broader than what you may be familiar with yet gets to the heart of the reasons you often do compromise your character for short term gratification. This isn't a theology lesson, although I do refer to the story of Adam and Eve in the garden, this is a mindset lesson and it is in this story that we can see ourselves and the reasons for all types of compromise in your life, compromises that often tell you much about you and how much you value self and others. Isn't time to break out of the scarcity mindset? There is a whole garden available to you to meet your needs in a positive, helpful, constructive and life giving manner. 

The root cause of a restricted or diminished character could be limited, scarcity mindset. Besides if you believe that everyone else gets there's and gets "there's" through unethical or immoral means then why shouldn't you do the same? 
In this two part series I will be sharing with you the importance of developing an abundance mindset and how developing an abundance mindset can super charge your character formation. 
You'll hear a very familiar story, the story of Adam and Eve, explained and applied. Maybe you'll see yourself in that story for the first time. Maybe you'll conclude that to many people are picking from the same tree ignoring the rest of the garden! 
My hope is that your eyes will be opened to the rest of the garden as you discover the truth that this world has been created with abundance. Your key take away may be something like this. "God's limitation to not eat from the one tree is an invitation to eat from all the others."