#3 -Quality of a Leader – Strong Character

According to John C. Maxwell, author of Leadership 101 and Developing the Leaders around You, the first thing to look for in any kind of leader or potential leader is strength of character. "I have found nothing more important than this quality," he said.

First, we need to define character. D. L. Moody said, "Character is what you are in the dark." What Moody meant by this is that character is what you really are when no one is looking, not the cover-up that you allow others to see. Character is what guides your actions and produces the words you speak. Character is your unique identity, your personality, the sum total of your individual characteristics.

Character can be good or bad. Strength of character refers to the strong and good character. A person strong in character is someone who stands for what is right, who has the "backbone" to express and live out his convictions.

What are the qualities that make up good character? These include honesty, integrity, devotion, self-discipline, determination, dependability, perseverance, conscientiousness, patience, and a strong work ethic. A person with right character does what he says, and says what he does. His reputation is solid. He respects himself, his family, and his nation.

As there is no perfect person in the world, all of us lack a few strong qualities mentioned above. It should not be ignored for, according to Maxwell, serious character flaws will eventually make a leader ineffective every time.

Hence, if you notice any of the following characteristics and behaviors below, you might be losing your potential to be an effective leader:

-  not being able to do the tasks given to you

-  undone obligations and broken promises

-  not taking responsibility for your actions

-  failure to meet deadlines and making tons of excuses

-  being oversensitive to criticisms and comments

Start taking control of your actions and develop the right strength of character. Although character flaws cannot be changed overnight, it can be changed through right practice and attitude.