It’s not always easy to admit a mistake, persevere during tough times, or follow through on every promise made. It’s not always comfortable to convey the hard truth or stand up for your beliefs. In the short term, it may not be beneficial to do right by your customers, to put people before profits, or to distance yourself from a questionable relationship. BUT, in the long run, doing the right thing is the clear path to both success and happiness. Moral character matters.
Achieve peace of mind. People with character sleep well at night. They take great pride in knowing that their intentions and actions are honorable. People with character also stay true to their beliefs, do right by others, and always take the high ground. (So refreshing.)
Strengthen trust. People with character enjoy meaningful relationships based on openness, honesty, and mutual respect. When you have good moral character, people know that your behavior is reliable, your heart is in the right place, and your word is good as gold.
Build a solid reputation. People with character command a rock-solid reputation. This helps them attract exciting opportunities “like a magnet.”
Reduce anxiety. People with character carry less baggage. They’re comfortable within their own skin, and they accept responsibility for their actions. They never have to play games, waste precious time keeping their stories straight, or invent excuses to cover their behind.
Increase leadership effectiveness. Leaders with character are highly effective. They have no need to pull rank or resort to command and control to get results. Instead, they’re effective because they’re knowledgeable, admired, trusted, and respected. This helps them secure buy-in automatically, without requiring egregious rules or strong oversight designed to force compliance.
Build confidence. People with character don’t worry about embarrassment if their actions are publicly disclosed. This alleviates the need for damage control or the fear of potential disgrace as a result of indiscretions.
Become a positive role model. People with character set the standard for excellence. They live their life as an open book, teaching others important life lessons through their words and their deeds.
Live a purpose-driven life. People with character live a life they can be proud of. They’re driven to make a difference and to do right by others rather than trying to impress others with extravagance. (Sounds like a wonderful legacy to me.)
Build a strong business. Doing the right thing is good business. Everything else being equal, talented people would rather work for — and customers would rather buy from — companies that do right by their people, customers, and communities. While unprincipled business tactics may provide short-term results, it’s NOT a long-term strategy.
Moral Character Matters
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
This is adapted from Follow Your Conscience: Make a Difference in Your Life & in the Lives of Others By Frank Sonnenberg
Additional Reading:
Living Life With a Purpose
Be Humble: Don’t Let Success Go to Your Head
Take Ownership By Taking Responsibility
Courage: No Guts, No Glory
Reputation: You Can’t Run from Your Shadow
Honesty: The Plain and Simple Truth
A Promise Is a Promise
Hard Work Is Good For Your Soul
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Great article Frank. Thank so much for sharing.
Thank YOU AbdAllah
Loads of people can benefit from 3, 4, & 5. Thanks for breaking out a small sample from your book! It’s fun to watch people when they operate from the 5 point of view.
Hi David
I’m glad you like the book sample 🙂
With regard to #5, I had the opportunity of working for a incredible leader. It was an awesome experience. I haven’t worked for him in twenty years and yet I’d still jump through hoops for him. There was no need to control or pull rank. We considered it an honor and privilege to be part of his team. Just think about the energy and excitement created by this kind of leadership.
Have a wonderful New Year.
Best,
Frank
Thanks for sharing the article, really appreciable, going through the article I came to know how moral character is useful for us.
One more thing I want you to emphasise -“Empathy motivates Morality and society lacks Empathy according to Arthur Schopenhauer Compassion is the basis of Morality but without empathy there can be no Compassion ”
Looking forward your response!
Good One Frank. Most articles talk about how character can be developed. I haven’t seen one that talks of the practical benefits of having a good character. This one does and succinctly. Cheers!
Thanks Vish. I believe there’s a direct correlation between character, success, and happiness. The goal of this post was to build a case for that premise. I’m glad you like it.
Best,
Frank
So true and these elements have bee my experience :)) Thank you Frank!
Thanks Maria. I’m glad you’ve experienced this first hand. As I like to say, “Moral character is the DNA of success and happiness.”Have an awesome week 🙂
Best,
Frank
Great article, Frank! Thanks for sharing the facts and for spreading the positive vibes! This is refreshing to hear.
Thanks Graham. As I say,”Character is the fingerprint of your soul.”
Thanks for taking the time to write. Have an awesome week!
Best,
Frank
Insightful tips. Got me revaluating myself.
I really appreciate how you simplify your words and drive home the message. I always look forward to reading from you.
that was quite informative, character is the principal ingredient needed for a successful living. thank you very much Mr. Frank for this article
Thanks Emmanuel. I’m glad you like it.
As I say, “Moral character is the DNA of success and happiness.”
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Your Article has highlighted very deep concept about personality. I agreed, You will benefit by having good character. Your good personal character will help you achieve difficult goals and tasks. Positive social character allows you to be trusted and admired by others.
Your attitudes and how you act toward other people often determines their desire to deal with you, both in business and in personal relationships.
You’re right on all counts, David
As I like to say, “Moral character is the DNA of success and happiness.”
Thanks or taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
I am doing lessons on character building, free sessions, and I am just discovering your writing and greatly appreciate your points on moral character. Thanks for sharing, I hope I can use some of the material to share during those presentation. Thank you
That’s awesome, Cynthia.
Please let me know if I you have any questions. Also, make sure to check out the free downloadable posters on my site. They can be used as handouts. Here’s the link for your convenience.
Free downloadable posters
Thanks for taking the time to write 🙂
Best,
Frank
Practicing good moral values IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE.
Constant struggles are closely related to anxiety, bad sleep, and quite a lot of other negative consequences that are worth mentioning in any discourse on “good moral values”
🙂
Hi Anne
I believe that stress, poor sleep, and reduced self-esteem can be directly linked to poor moral character. As I say, “Follow to your conscience. Sleep well.”
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
re Hi Anne,
Hi Frank,
I believe that stress and poor sleep is a part of “survival mode”. Survival mode is when people fight for their life or when they fight with powerful evil forces. Imagine a policiman who cannot sleep because solving a crime puts him and his family in danger. That is a dilemma. At the same time he cannot afford to lose his job. Exhaustion and fear for life put him in survival mode –
– does that mean that the policeman has poor moral character? I do not think so.
Anne
Hi Anne
Just like matches aren’t the cause of all house fires, poor moral character isn’t the cause of all stress and anxiety.
That said, did you ever walk into a room where the air was so thick, you could cut it with a knife? What was the cause of the toxic environment? I’m sure dishonesty, deceit, and deception may have been involved.
The fact is that distrust promotes disharmony and uncertainty. It causes people to scrutinize what others say and second-guess their intent. As such, it is anxiety provoking and debilitating.
Mistrust can kill individual aspirations, cripple personal and business relationships, strip the muscle from our most powerful leaders, and crush the productivity and morale of our best and brightest people.
Trust is not granted because you possess power, wealth, or status. Similarly, trust isn’t given because you demand or desire it. When someone places their trust in you, you’ve proven that you’re worthy of their trust and that you’ll work hard to preserve it.
If you care about your credibility and reputation, desire the respect of friends and family, or want to be taken seriously in life…trust matters. You gain people’s trust based on your moral character, your competence, and by consistently displaying admirable behavior.
Everything you say and do will strengthen or weaken the bond of trust. Moral character matters.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank