The word character comes from the Greek word, kharacker, and dates back thousands of years. While character refers to a characteristic of an individual its definition can also be expanded to show its complexity and how it might be used in today’s workplace when drawing attention to the persona of LEADERS.
There are two primary definitions of the modern-day work, character. The first is a tool that is used to make a mark and the second is an imprint of the soul.
Most often the word character refers to what makes up an individual’s identity, personality, or traits. Each person has a unique set of mental and moral qualities that makes up their character.
Words are made up of characters which are referred to as letters. Those letters work together to create words that make sense of the people, places, and things in the world that we live in today.
Much like the characters that make words, behaviors form habits. Those habits form an individual’s persona. The persona is how a person is perceived and experienced. As LEADERS develop their unique leadership style, they create their individualized persona.
Some of how LEADERS might leave a mark on others could be considered bad. When the word mark is synonymous with the word blot, it can leave have a negative impact. That mark might also be seen as a blemish that might tarnish a LEADERS’ reputation or brand.
These might be referred to as self-serving LEADERS.
LEADERS whose character leaves an imprint on the souls of other people are most likely to have a higher purpose in mind when engaging and interacting with them. The soul is the part of people that strives to be caring towards others and in that fact alone it is considered to be a very good thing to have a character-focused unique leadership style.
These might be referred to as service-oriented LEADERS.
While an ACE is considered a person who excels in an activity or endeavor, it can be analyzed from either half of the proverbial coin. On one side of the coin is the ACE who excels in leaving a negative wake as a result of the self-serving character, and on the other side is the ACE who is proficient in leaving a positive impact as a result of the serving-oriented character.
The LEADERS who are a self-serving ACE might subscribe to the characteristics in this acronym; Atrocious, Contemptuous, and Egregious.
Each of the characteristics included in the ACE acronym for the self-serving leader comes with a definition that conjures up a vision of that persona. In this acronym, we see a leader who might be horrifying, mocking, and shocking. None of these are the desired characteristics or traits of a proficient leader.
The LEADERS who are a service-oriented ACE might demonstrate the following characteristics of the acronym; Admirable, Compassionate, and Enthusiastic.
Each of the characteristics included in the ACE acronym for the service-oriented leader brings to mind an underlying word such as respecting, caring, and willing. These traits make up a leadership style that evokes respect and trust.
The dynamic conflict that is played out between self-serving LEADERS and those LEADERS who are service-oriented happens in companies of all sizes around the globe. The conflict in many cases might contribute to companies failing to achieve their most successful outcomes.
LEADERS have the responsibility of giving guidance and direction to a group of people; how they demonstrate that guidance and direction are directly attributed to their character. Character matters when LEADERS have the privilege of serving others and not themselves.
LEADERS have the unique accountability and obligation of reflecting on their character and ensuring on an ongoing basis that is service-oriented and not self-serving.
What characteristics make up your unique leadership style?
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