Good leadership requires character and competence. They are two buckets that represent collections of other attributes and skills. Character is who you are. Competence is what you can do. To be a good leader, you need to have both.
Character is composed of qualities like humility, confidence, courage, wisdom, stability, diligence, trustworthiness, and morality.
Competence is being skilled in particular ways, such as having specific domain knowledge and experience, clarity in communication, effective time management and prioritization, the ability to delegate well, proper follow-up, giving and receiving feedback, engaging and handling difficult conversations well.
A leader with strong character but weak competence won’t be able to lead a team to success. The team might like the leader, perhaps even love them, but they won’t be able to accomplish their goals or achieve their mission.
A leader with strong competence but weak character won’t have a successful team for long. The leader might be effective and help the team accomplish goals in the short run, but the team won’t continue to follow them. A lack of trust and respect will eventually lead to the disruption of the team or the exit of the leader.
The traits and abilities in both of these buckets can be learned and developed. They can be improved through training and practice.
How? And where to start?
Begin with humble, honest self-reflection. Ask yourself, “What aspects of my character are strong? Which are weak? In what leadership skills do I seem competent? Which need work?”
Next, find someone you trust. Someone who knows you and has observed you. Ask them the same questions. Be clear with them that you are not looking for compliments or flattery. You want an honest assessment to help identify your strengths and weaknesses. Most people, if you tell them you want honest feedback, will give it to you.
Once you get their responses, compare them with your own. Where did you agree? Where did you disagree? Are there some clear strengths and weaknesses?
Now to work on developing them.
First, continue to work on your strengths. Double-down on them. Look for opportunities to use them, practice them, test them, and grow them. Generally speaking, you will find more value in playing to your strengths rather than trying to shore up your weaknesses.
But that doesn’t mean you should ignore your weaknesses, especially if they are in the character bucket.
Second, look for people you know and admire for their strength in the area you want to improve. Watch them. Imitate them. If you know them, ask them for help. “How can I get better in this area?” Listen to and follow their advice.
Practice. Get feedback. Adjust.
Practice some more. Get feedback. Adjust.
This is how you get better at almost anything, including character and competency skills.
Leading well is a lifelong journey. There is always room to grow because there are hundreds, if not thousands, of traits and abilities that make a good leader. But they can all be grouped into two buckets: character and competence. And you need both.
Go practice.
LOVE this message on character and competence! Wise wise words! One of your many gifts Scott is being able to communicate so clearly in a way that’s easy to understand plus that visual helps too! Thanks so much!