Leadership: Lead With Character

To whom do you turn when things begin to fall apart?

Whom do you call when things feel impossible to handle?

Where do you turn when the puzzle before you seems too big to solve?

You want to know in times of struggle you can turn to a leader.

Not just any leader, but a leader with character.

Someone you can trust,. Someone you can rely on.

Where do you find this leader of character?

You find it by looking within:

  • It’s the person who is true to their values no matter what.
  • It’s the person who is leads with integrity no matter when.
  • It’s the person who is of service no matter where.

Ultimately, though, we are the answer to our own need for a leader of character.

We need to be our own guide, and we need to see that our own character will lead us.

Being the leader is never easy and being a leader of character can be especially complicated.

The character within each of us defines our leadership:

When we lead with character, we embody courage and bravery.

When we lead with character, we boldly face difficulties.

When we lead with character, we persevere regardless of the circumstances.

Leading a life of character means a willingness to shift the way we move through life. It is the alteration of attitude, it is the effect of our choices.

It is movement toward a particular direction of inwardness, a direction that takes life into a whole new territory, each moment presenting itself with a new challenge and circumstances.

Character is the one thing that will stay the same in the ever-constant change of our leadership.

Leadership may give you power, but character will give you respect.

We must each strive to be a leader – of quality. We must thrive on inner wisdom to lead the way.

Lead from Within: Leaders with character are courageous individuals who live by doing what needs to be done, even when it’s difficult. If you take care of your character, your leadership will take care of itself.


Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.

  1. Francisco Laborde

    11. Sep, 2012

    Yes.
    Character is key, but i’s not enough to have one.
    I try to show mine, high on its staff with true and shining colors for all to see where I’m leading to.

    Reply to this comment
  2. Abodunrin Roberts

    21. Oct, 2012

    “Leadership is like a candle who burns itself so that others can see”- Abodunrin Roberts

    Reply to this comment
  3. Marcy Field

    10. Jun, 2013

    Wonderful post Lolly. The world needs more leaders with character. The start is individuals looking to themselves and recognizing their strength of character. Then taking the risk and discovering they have the ability to make a difference.

    Reply to this comment
  4. Jason Wolbers

    05. May, 2017

    I agree with you 100% that character is of the utmost importance in leadership. If you don’t have good morals & character then you’ll never have the real trust needed to be the best leader possible. Thanks for he positive material. I enjoy it.

    Reply to this comment

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