Goodness in the character of a leader should be of highest importance in choosing our elected officials. Unfortunately, what is good character and why it is necessary for leaders to be of good character has been muddied and forgotten. For many voters, goodness of character is no longer a criterion, or bad character is waved away or considered a positive.
A study undertaken by three professors identified three underlying dimensions of leadership character and several constituent attributes. The table in the graphic presents the three dimensions and fourteen attributes.
The takeaway for us: Vote only for candidates who have goodness of character.
Text on Image:
Universalism: understanding, appreciation, and tolerance for the welfare of people generally
- Respectfulness: being respectful of others, their beliefs, and customs
- Fairness: treating people equitably and in a just manner
- Cooperation: working well as a team
- Compassion: concern for the suffering or welfare of others
- Humility: keeping oneself from putting the self before others, realistic sense of perspective, acceptance of one’s strengths and weaknesses
Transformation: activities that inspire others in the achievement of long-term, visionary goals
- Courage: willing to do what is right in the face of risk
- Passion: having energy and deeply committed enthusiasm
- Wisdom: drawing on knowledge and experience to make well-formed judgments
- Competence: being competent to maintain the confidence of others
- Self-discipline: controlling one’s thoughts and actions and being able to manage and express emotions in constructive ways
Benevolence: concern for the welfare of others through one’s daily interactions
- Selflessness: putting others’ interests ahead of one’s own
- Integrity: having consistency between word and deed and over time
- Organizational loyalty: committing deeply to ideas and ideals of the nation
- Honesty: being open and honest, trustworthy
Based on study by Brian Cooper, Joseph Santora, and James Sarros