Leadership is a Big Door That Swings on the Small Hinge of Character (Part 1)

“Leadership ………. is like a big door that swings.  But that big door of leadership swings on the small hinge of character.”

                                                                                 - Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.)

A couple of years ago at this time, I was listening to an interview with Retired Admiral James Stavridis, who was out promoting his new book on leadership, Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character.   

I have to admit, I was half-listening to the interview while I was working out, when the admiral said something and made me immediately stop and go running for a pen and paper to write it down when he shared,

“Leadership is how we influence others.  It is like a big door that swings.  But that big door of leadership swings on the small hinge of character.”

These words have stayed with me over the last year, and in my opinion, are even more needed now than when I first heard them.  Since listening to this interview.  I have asked myself time and again, “How can I bring a greater degree of character to my leadership and how can I inspire others to do the same?”

Unfortunately, “character” is not a word that comes to mind for many of us when we look to describe our leaders of today.  However, like anything we want to change in life, the change must begin with us.  With that being said, here are nine qualities of character I believe great leaders display.  These are characteristics (get the pun) each of us can practice in showing up as better leaders in our lives.

This is part one of a two-part series on the attributes of character we can all exhibit in our quest to demonstrating a higher degree of leadership, in whatever position of we find ourselves in.

Inspired by one of my teachers and great leader in his own right, Dr. Roger W. Teel, I have decided to use the acronym C.H.A.R.A.C.T.E.R. to describe these qualities.  Here are the first five of the nine qualities of character I believe “swing that big door of leadership."

• C – Commitment to serve – Leaders of great character are committed to service.

One of my favorite quotes comes from author, William Arthur Ward who said, “We must be silent before we can listen.  We must listen before we can learn.  We must learn before we can prepare.  We must prepare before we can serve.  And we must serve before we can lead.” 

We must serve before we can lead, for me this one of leadership’s most important tenants.  What strikes me about this is that it does not only refer to the service of others (which is incredibly important in leadership), but it also means serving or taking care of ourselves. 

We are truly at our best when we give from a full cup.  Or as my good friend, Kirk M. Samuels says, “My cup is so full, I give from my saucer.”  Leaders understand that they must take care of themselves, so they can help take care of others.  It is from the place of fullness that we can then do magical things with our service. 

This not only means providing those in need with services they require in the moment, but importantly it gives others the inspiration and direction to become fully self-sustainable and empowered themselves. 

Where do you have an opportunity to greater commit yourself to service in your role as a leader? 

• H – Honor your word – In his article, Integrity: Without it Nothing Works, Michael C. Jensen, shares the important distinction between “keeping” one’s word and “honoring” our word.

In our fast-paced lives with many distractions and challenges hitting us from many directions, it is not always easy to keep our word.  We arrive late for meetings, we miss important events with our family and friends, or we fail to meet due dates on important projects.  While we should always strive to “keep” our word, this does not always happen.  Strong leaders understand this, and as a result, focus on “honoring” their word. 

This means “keeping” your word at all times possible, but when that is not going to happen, take accountability for this lapse in integrity; acknowledge it, apologize for it and take actions to correct it. 

For example, do you have someone in your circle who is compulsively late for everything?  They may provide a slight apology for delaying the meeting, but as this behavior happens time and again, you have begun to distrust them a leader as you realize this is a habit, they have no intention of changing. 

Leaks in our integrity, over time, can have a devastating impact on our character as leaders.  Where do you have an opportunity to up-level “honoring” your word?

• A – Attainment = Accomplishment + Becoming – While results and accomplishments achieved are critical to success in any organization, great leaders understand that a person’s growth and development does not stop there.

In his book, Parenting Champions, author and success coach, Lanny Bassham shares that while many leaders focus purely on accomplishments, where a true person develops is in attainment.  Bassham defines attainment as the accomplishment of what we achieve combined with the person we become along the process. 

As leaders, it is easy to focus just on the results people produce and contribute to the bottom line.  However, great leaders understand that the greatest results come when we assist those we lead in becoming the best version of ourselves AS they accomplish great things. 

Within our lives, the memory of the accomplishments we achieved while being guided by a leader may come and go, but we will always remember the person they helped us become while in their tutelage. 

Where do you have an opportunity to have someone reach attainment and become the best they can be in your role as a leader?

• R – Rise to the occasion – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is quoted as saying, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge and controversy.” 

Throughout history, the people who are most revered today, did not begin with acts or messages that were popular in their day.  On the contrary, MLK, Ghandi, Lincoln, Mandela and even Jesus spoke messages that to many were far beyond the status quo, and as a result, very unpopular to those who resisted change. 

However, they knew what they proclaimed in their messages were the right things to do and they rose to the occasion to proclaim it, despite the malice, criticism or potential harm that came their way. 

Where do you have an opportunity to stand up for what is right as a leader, even if it is not easy or the popular thing to do?

• A#2 – Admit and own your mistakes and then move to correct them – We all make mistakes. Recognizing and admitting to our errors and then correcting them as leaders, inspires others and solidifies our position as an authentic and empowered leader. 

Take a look at our modern society.  We are very forgiving of people who have erred, admitted to it and then changed their life around for the better (several actors, politicians and athletes come to mind).  I believe this happens because deep down inside, we all believe we have flaws we would like to correct. 

When leaders take accountability for their mistakes and take appropriate action to correct them, this actually brings them closer to their communities and organizations, rather than separate them. 

In a word, it makes these leaders relatable.  It also gives permission to the people they lead to be vulnerable and authentic.  This brings out the best in everyone and creates an environment of empowerment rather than one which causes people to live in fear by hiding their faults and weaknesses. 

Where do you have an opportunity to take accountability for and correct your errors in your role as a leader?

So, there you have it, my friends.  There are the first five of nine character attributes I believe are essential to becoming an effective leader.  Next week, in part two of our two-part mini-series, we will explore our final four qualities. 

Until then, be conscious of how you can demonstrate each of the aforementioned characteristics in your own life, becoming aware of how the “small hinge of character” can make all the difference in the world in your role as a leader.

Chris Natzke

Black Belt Leadership Speaking & Coaching