The Case for Leadership Character

By Diane Belcher

Published: Harvard Business

The Case for Leadership Character, published by Harvard Business, opens with Belcher arguing ‘there is more to a leader’s character than just ethics, integrity, and morals’ citing research confirming the benefit to business, where a leader operates with character traits such as compassion and forgiveness.

In this article, Belcher reminds us ‘character is reflected in the actions of all leaders—not just those in the senior-most roles’ and the importance of character ‘for people in charge of leadership development’; outlining the flow on effect of being a good leader is influencing others to be so too.

Belcher shares how decision making is now multi-level across organisations, and character is critical in a decentralised decision-making environment. In her words ‘Leadership character exists in the space between the individual’s values and morals and the key activities facing any leader, including decision making.’

Unpacking the definition of leadership, this article shares the seven important character traits of leaders according to Harvard Business Impact, being: integrity, self awareness, determination, empathy, courage, optimism and curiosity or open mindedness.

Belcher reminds us leaders display character through daily habits, the decisions they make, and the decision-making environments they create. She provides a series of practical questions leaders can continually ask themselves to ensure alignment between their morals, values and decisions.

The article closes with the question can character traits be taught? Belcher argues it can be nurtured and her position is ‘it stands to reason that companies should invest as much time and energy into nurturing character in their leaders as they do in developing managerial skills’ due to the evidence-based link between leadership character and organisational success.