Dave Anderson | Tag Archive | Character

Dave Anderson of Anderson Leadership Solutions interviews Stephan Moore of Shiloh Camp discussing the importance of casting a vision for your team. If you want a team that keeps the big picture in mind and doesn’t stray away from what’s important, listen to how how even the most overwhelmed leader can accomplish casting a vision.

Free PDF downloads are available at overwhelmedmanagersguide.com. Podcasts are also available on iTunes.

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It is hard for a leader to change the established habits of a team. Most leaders want a team that consistently demonstrates high character, but are unsure what to do beyond setting up rules and demanding compliance.

There is a key element to changing habits that is often overlooked by everyone. Yet it has proven to be the key to lasting and productive change for individuals and organizations.

Our Words –

What do we talk about and with whom do we talk about it?

It was a good old knock down, drag out fight. We had chosen our sides and were all vehemently sure of our positions.

In Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, he expends 20% of his thesis on the need for healthy conflict on a team. He says, and I believe, that without conflict it is highly unlikely a team is making the best decisions for an organization.

If this is true then by Lencioni’s scorecard, this was going to be a FANTASTIC decision! But, in the midst of it all, I quietly raised my hand and gave in. It was right to give up this fight. Continue Reading…

In a nutshell: There are no small decisions when my character is involved.

For a leader, the magnitude of the decision should not determine my approach. If my moral compass is involved, then the decision is a big deal. Too many times we make decisions based on our immediate perception of their impact. Continue Reading…

One of the best books I ever read on leadership was John Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. In fact, I recently gave a copy to a young man who just graduated from high school as a gift.

28 years ago, I was a recent high school graduate as well. I was a brand new cadet at West Point. I was handed the plebe handbook called Bugle Notes. Continue Reading…

What is the definition of character?

Character is our habitual way of operating.

HOW we are is WHO we are.

Our character is ultimately determined by our habits. If I am in the habit of doing what is moral and right, I am a person of high character. If I am in the habit of cutting corners, telling “small lies”, or any other morally questionable act, that is who I am as well.

This video is a clip from a training session on leadership I did for a group of salespeople. It is only a few minutes long. Take the time to watch it and see how your habits stack up towards forming your character.

Question:

How do the words you hear me speak cause you to evaluate your habits? Do you see changes you can make at work or at home? Do you see a path to teaching your kids about character?

Loyalty and integrity are two character traits I think we all desire in ourselves and in others. I like loyal people. They are friends and co-workers I know I can depend on. It does not matter how bad the situation may be. I know I can count on the loyal people in my life.

I like people of integrity as well. I like knowing I never have to question their words, actions, or motives. What you see is what you get. Their integrity makes trusting them easy.

But should loyalty ever trump integrity? Is there a time when that is appropriate? Continue Reading…

“Making excuses is a bad habit.” Making excuses is a favorite topic of mine when I speak to groups about leadership and character. I am often asked, “Aren’t there legitimate reasons for a failure? Shouldn’t that matter?”

My reply: “Yes. It matters. As long as we know the difference between an excuse and a reason.” Continue Reading…

Ask a veteran why they served and you will likely hear the word Duty in the explanation. The concept of Duty still runs deep in military circles.

Many people use the word Duty to describe the list of tasks in a job description. But the idea of Duty goes well beyond a “to do list.” Duty seems to be a forgotten principle outside the military. The concept of Duty needs a revival. Continue Reading…

They were in their robes and ready to be done with high school. I was the only thing between them and graduation and the family celebrations to follow.

As the keynote speaker, I knew I better keep it short and do everything I could to make it memorable. I spoke about the choices they all had. As I spoke and watched the parents sitting in the audience, I realized these choices belong to all of us.

We all control the choices we make no matter our circumstance. Those choices often determine our success in life, our impact on others and our impact on the world around us. Continue Reading…