In this article, Anthony Tormey, CEO of the Leader Development Institute (LDi), explores how core values shape strong character. By aligning actions with values, leaders can foster integrity and drive long-term success in their organizations.
Is the Person You Want to Be Aligned with Your Core Values?
In our journey toward leadership, understanding the relationship between core values and character is essential. For both business leaders and employees, these elements are essential in fostering a strong organizational culture, driving ethical decision-making, and achieving long-term success. Understanding how core values shape character, and vice versa, is crucial for creating a workplace where integrity, trust, and excellence thrive.
If you’ve been reading “Values Based Leadership,” you understand how core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide our actions and decisions. They serve as our moral compass, helping us lead and navigate the complexities of life with clarity and purpose.
Character, on the other hand, is the manifestation of our core values in action. It’s the set of virtues that define who we are. When we consistently act in alignment with our core values, others can trust, respect and rely on the character of our decisions. For example, if one of your organizational core values is Integrity, ideally your character traits might be, Authenticity being genuine and true to oneself, without pretending to be someone or something you’re not. Being Respectful, having Moral Courage, or Humility: Acknowledging one’s limitations and being open to feedback and self-improvement. This consistency is crucial in building a reputation and key to personal and professional growth.
Recently I traveled to Cooperstown, New York and visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame. For any baseball fan these are hallowed halls with all of the GOATs, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Micky Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken, all extraordinary ball players, but one player stood out for more than his athleticism. Jackie Robinson’s extraordinary character. As the first “Negro” to play in the white players major league baseball, Robinson would have to endure mental and physical abuse and handle it without fighting back. The character of this great man clearly led to his success; Self-control, selflessness, and discipline proved to those wanting to see him fail, wrong. Robinson endured teammates and crowds who opposed his presence, and threats to himself and his family, with honor and grace.
Like Jackie Robinson, for leaders and employees, the relationship between core values and character is a blueprint for success. Although core values guide behavior, inform decision-making, and shape the ethical culture of an organization, character drives our actions. When an organization’s core values are clearly communicated and consistently reinforced, individuals develop strong, admirable character traits that inspire trust, foster collaboration, and drive long-term teamwork and success.
At the end of the day, the true measure of a leader or employee is not just in what they achieve, but in how they achieve it. By staying true to core values and continuously developing their character, professionals can create a lasting impact, both within their organizations and in the wider world.
I hope today’s article serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to our core values as we continue to develop and strengthen our character. Let's strive to live each day with integrity, guided by the principles that define who we are.
Can you use this article as a basis for your next 5 minute presentation on one of your organization’s core values during a staff meeting, a performance review, or all hands meeting?
Be Extraordinary!
Anthony Tormey, President & CEO
Leader Development Institute (LDi)
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Successful people live by a set of closely followed rules and values, have you read LDi’s Rules for Success? These rules will help you hone in on the best success practices that benefit you in all areas of your life, personal and professional. You can find LDi’s Rules for Success HERE.
