From: The Maxwell Daily Reader, John C. Maxwell
Date: January 23 2016
Title: Leaders Cannot Rise Above the Imitates of Their Character
From: The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader
Gist:
Maxwell quotes Steven Beglas, a professor at the Harvard Medical School and author of The Success Syndrome. Beglas writes people who achieve success yet lack a “bedrock character” to sustain themselves during periods of intense stress usually fall into the “four A’s”. These being, arrogance, aloneness, adventure seeking or adultery.
- Arrogance – you are superior to everyone
- Aloneness – painful feelings of isolation
- Adventure Seeking – to the degree of self destructive behavior
- Adultery – sex as conquest and excitement
Maxwell believes an essential component to being a successful leader is respect. A person who has credibility, and lives up to their promises. As a result if you lack the strength of character you may achieve a certain degree of success yet implode when stressed.
Favorite Quote:
“Unaddressed cracks in character only get deeper with and more destructive with time.”
Action for Day:
Examine the condition of your character, and make sure your words and actions match up.
Ramble on: