To lead, know thyself. So it’s said over and over.
And to know thyself means knowing your character. What’s your character? How do you describe it? For some, the answer seems easy. The descriptors roll off their tongues. To others it’s a struggle. A struggle because it can be hard to describe yourself at the very basic level of character.
One definition says it’s one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. Another says it’s your true nature, who you really are. Character is grounded in the depths of personal experience, says Daryl Conner, a leader in the field of change management. It’s etched in our souls from living life. It endures through whatever circumstances we encounter.
Spend a few minutes listening to someone tell who he thinks he is, how she works, what he cares about. Then draw a picture or tell a story of how you experienced that person. In doing so you will make some leaps, come to some conclusions revealing that person’s character. She is a guardian angel in tending her direct reports; he is a rock star, figuratively, in working with people.
The rest of the article is available in PDF Format. Click to subscribe and download.