This month’s ‘character’ theme integrates with and follows on from last month’s ‘values’ topic, and is again, fundamental to who we are as individuals and how our the essence of our character influences our thoughts and behaviour. Leaders’ characters and the impact of their resulting decisions and behaviour is undoubtedly important to their organisation and the people who they lead, and critical in scenarios where decisions and behaviour have a wider, and sometimes global impact. The first quote has general reference, and the second’s emphasis on power, condemnatory to leaders who abuse or misappropriate their control.
‘Your life choices aren’t just about what you want to do; they’re about who you want to be.’
JOSHUA ROTHMAN
‘Nearly everyone can stand adversity, but if you want to test a person’s character, give them power.’
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Weblink re above quotes: CHARACTER – EQ4U
GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
Words and their meanings reflecting key negative and positive character traits; universally relevant and especially significant for prominent political leaders whose decisions, influence and behaviour have wide reaching consequences:
NEGATIVE:
- Hegemonistic – aiming to establish or maintain superiority, dominance, control or influence over others. (Originally derived from the Greek word hēgemonia, meaning “authority” or “rule,” it was first used to describe the political and military dominance of one city-state.)
- Hubristic – exhibiting excessive pride, arrogance, insolence, vanity or overconfidence, often to the point of recklessness, frequently implying a disregard for others’ advice or rules and a belief in one’s own invulnerability or superiority.
- Braggadocious – praising yourself, speaking too proudly about your own achievements or importance.
- Prevaricate – speak or act in an ambiguous or evasive way to conceal the truth or avoid commitment.
- Kleptocratic – a leader, government, or system that enriches itself through theft and corruption at the expense of the people it governs.
POSITIVE:
- Sagacious – possessing keen mental discernment by showing understanding and having the ability to make good judgments by applying sound reasoning and intelligence.
- Integrous – acting consistently with ethical principles; building trust and credibility by being honest; creating a culture of transparency where team members feel safe to express their ideas and concerns.
- Conciliatory – seeking to overcome hostility, placate, win over, reconcile. (From Latin conciliare)
- Solicitous – showing genuine concern about people’s wellbeing, intended to show that you care about the feelings or opinions of others.
- Profundity – showing great knowledge or insight.
Warmest & best wishes
