“Most people say that it is intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character” – Albert Einstein
From the beginning, Albert Einstein knew it was not just smarts that enabled him to become successful. It was character. In leadership, character counts. Some characteristics of leaders are fixed such as being trusted by followers, being ethical, and at the same time conveying a strong vision but character is constantly evolving. After gaining or acquiring someone’s trust or commitment, in order to maintain it, leaders must also display a good sense of character composed of various beliefs, values, skills, and traits.
Leaders also do not command excellence; they build excellence. Leaders do not only pursue excellence but also, with those same characteristics, enable others to do the same. To be able to give a rise to other leaders can promote a chain reaction where those leaders teach others to become leaders, so on and so on. This is what makes a good leader and personally, this is the characteristic I favor the most.
- Leona Cheng, Manhattanville College Leadership Conference Committee Member.
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