Character

Character is who you are.

In this context, it is two-fold, comprised of positives and negatives;

On the positive side, they include universal things like reliability and honesty as well as situational things like thoroughness or creativity. On the negative side, there are derailers like short-temperedness or harshness.

It is vital you understand your derailers. Small rocks can derail a fast train.

Not all work contexts are the same, and hence, character traits that are damaging in one context will be less damaging in others. Thoroughness is more important in an accountant than creativity, and hence, we can see that character, in addition to skills, will determine career outcomes. If you manage people, so-called soft skills are more important than if you are a single contributor.

It is important to be in roles that respond well to your character and also to work on the aspects of your character that need to be amplified and pacified…to ensure that our derailers are minimized.

Derailers have more power to destroy value in your career than any of your positive character traits have, to create value.

Ultimately, this isn’t about assessing what is wrong, right, or good or bad, but rather, what is required.

So, it is important to write down a list of required character traits for the vocation and path you are bound on and determine where you are and where you need to be.

One more thought;

Character traits are ongoing and automatic. States are temporary. We are looking for traits, not states.

Traits are your lived experience. Your state of equilibrium, or what is typical for you. Not you at your best or worst. We are looking to uncover your habitual and situational traits, not traits that are universally desirable. We are trying to be as honest as possible with ourselves.

Assessment 

• Are you reliable, consistent, and a good influence on those around you?

• Do you have any significant de-railers that undermine your career?

• What character traits do you have, and in what degree do you have them?

• Do you have the character traits for the roles you want to play?

• What character traits don’t you have that you need, now?

• Are there obvious gaps in your current set, that you need to address?

• Do you have the right character traits for the future of your work?

• What are your consistent de-railers?

• What power do they exert over your career?

Planning 

• What do you need to have more of? Less of?

• What traits do you not need in the future?

• What needs to stop, and what needs to start?

• How can you proactively address your de-railers?