The Ararat Connection
Character, Courage, and Competence
Monday, July 31, 2023
Character = Foundation of Leadership
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Which is most Important: Strategy, Culture or Character?
So, which is it? Which is most important: Strategy, Culture, or Character?
Recently, a friend and I discussed the importance of character and how it impacted the business environment and culture.
He asked me, "How and why would I add character to business?"
How would you answer that question?
I gave my friend an immediate answer, but as I thought a lot more about the answer to that question after the call, it became increasingly clear that there had to be more to the answer than a simple one-liner.
So, to really answer the question, here are a few of my thoughts:
- In my book, The Tricycle Effect (website), the balanced Competence Skills Wheels (in the back of the Trike) Lead to Success: Adding Value to Self. Most businesses focus on Profits over People.
- In The Tricycle Effect (Doodly Video on YouTube), the Character Skills Wheel (in the front of the Trike) leads to Significance: Adding Value to Others. Most businesses should be focused on adding value to their People and then Profits will come.
- Throughout history, every story ever told includes at least one ethical character theme and Characters that act out a particular character skill: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Loyalty, etc.
- Turns out that character and acting with good character are quantifiable in the business world and can be measured. In other words, there is a Return on Character….and statistics show a direct correlation between C-Level execs and their ability to lead (influence) their teams/companies to success with positive cash flow and healthy culture, including longevity, by leading with character. Simply said, leaders who focus on leading and building relationships with Character in their companies make more money and have fewer costs/expenses to run and operate the company (i.e.-turnover, etc.). BUT…very few companies know this or live this, and even fewer think about character as a skill they need to grow personally and professionally.
- Even great leaders believe that Character is the most important skill. Leaders such as:
- Military Leader - General Schwartzkopf said, "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy."
- Business Leader - Warren Buffet said, “Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. You think about it; it’s true. If you hire somebody without [integrity], you really want them to be dumb and lazy.”
- Spiritual Leader - Billy Graham said, "Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.’"
- "There is Power in Character! Christ was the greatest example. It was Christ’s Character that was powerful… the Character of Christ! Leading with Character First is transformative! Most people don't know why Christ sat down at the right hand of God the Father. That answer alone defines true transformation. Hint: The answer is the same reason a Father puts his bride/daughter on his right side as they walk down the aisle to the altar as he gives her away to the groom to be married.
- Many C-Level Executives hire Business Coaches, Life Coaches, Health Coaches, Executive Coaches, Golf & Sport Coaches, Yoga Coaches, Pickle Ball Coaches, and just about every other kind of coach, but very few if any have a CHARACTER COACH! How about you? Ready for your very own Character Coach?
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Artificial Intelligence - The Dangers and Our Children
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/19/snapchat-making-ai-chatbot-similar-to-chatgpt-available-to-every-user
If AI is FREE, what can be the harm?
Let's teach them to safely use their smart devices and make a difference for ALL our current and future generations! If you haven't watched "The Social Dilemma" (Netflix) or "The AI Dilemma" (YouTube), I highly recommend that you watch those movies/documentaries as soon as you can.
When was the last time you hugged your child? Or hugged a friend or another adult, or gave them a "high five," and listened to them like they were your best friend? Or even just sit down and talk and listen to your child? As a gymnastics coach, I make a concerted effort to see each athlete as a "10." I am also teaching them that even though a "10" is the ultimate goal, it is most likely not achievable, and that's ok.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
What is Transformational Leadership?
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Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Develop Your Leadership Skills!
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