Character is fundamental to leadership and can be assessed using eight pillars: (1) fortitude, (2) temperance/responsibility, (3) prudence, (4) justice/fairness, (5) trustworthiness, (6) respect, (7) caring, and (8) citizenship. These pillars provide a framework to evaluate the character of political candidates and leaders based on traits like courage, self-control, wisdom, honesty, integrity, respect, compassion, and civic duty. Assessing a leader's character is as important as their positions and policies in determining if they will uphold the values of the nation.

1. 8 Ways to Assess Leadership
Character is the firm and seasoned substance of the soul.
Major General Joshua Chamberlain
Character—what a powerful word. Whether applied to a nation, community, business or
individual, it’s a fundamental part of our being and behavior … and it exists on a spectrum
ranging from vacuous to valiant. Its form and foundation lie at the intersection of our values,
ideals, words, perspectives, promises, and actions. And with what is at stake in our upcoming
elections, prioritizing the character of our candidates should be as significant as assessing their
positions and policies.
Leadership requires what Aristotle called “excellence of character” (êthikai aretai), commonly
translated as “moral virtue.” It’s the baseline from which everything and everyone should be
judged. Whether a CEO, an educator, or a mom … it’s the character at the top that influences
the culture and determines the ultimate success or demise of an organization, community or
home. In terms of our country, it’s our President more than any one person who must most
profoundly personify the character of our nation.
President Obama summoned America’s “moral virtue” last week when he officially
proclaimed Sept. 11 “Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.” He asked
us to reclaim our abiding spirit of compassion by serving our communities in an ongoing
capacity, if even in the slightest acts of kindness. And through a sustained attitude of
compassion and action we will preserve and protect the “character of our nation.”
However, character can often be of less noble intent. To examine its polemic nature, I want to
look back at two of our nation’s original patriots. After the first three years of the Revolutionary
War, every patriot recognized two men as the greatest warriors and leaders of the time: George
Washington commander of the Continental Army, and Benedict Arnold, captor of Fort
Ticonderoga, invader of Canada, and victor of the battle of Saratoga. Both shared similar goals,
positions and a fierce passion for Independence. They were both great patriots, giants on the
battlefield, and friends. So what caused one to become the most celebrated hero in our history,
and the other to become our most despised traitor? In Dave R. Palmer’s brilliant book George
Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots, Palmer captured it in one word:
character.
Palmer describes character as “chameleon-like,” identifying at least three different definitions:
(1) the objective, or “the aggregate of features and traits that form an apparent individual nature
of someone or thing,” (2) the descriptive, or the “qualities of honesty, courage, or the like” and
(3) the subjective, or the “moral or ethical quality: good repute: integrity.” But what does this
elusive and powerful word really mean and how can we measure it?
The Ancient Greeks reduced character to four basic virtues, which remained its foundation
until 1992. At that time The Josephson Institute held a gathering of ethicists, educators, and
youth organizers in Aspen, Colorado and determined that character comprises six elements.
Only two over-lapped with the Greeks. (The Josephson Institute has since published a
pamphlet called the “6 Pillars of Character.”) I believe it is the combined list, found below,
that while relatively simple, captures its complexity.

2. The Eight Pillars of Character
As you’re considering your candidates, or thinking about yourself and your own leadership
skills, consider these eight pillars and gauge them on a scale of one to ten. This will give you
a very good idea, at least in the context of character, of what you should expect and demand of
yourself and your leaders, and how ultimately you want to define yourself and the “character
of our nation.”
1. Fortitude. Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or
temptation courageously; the strength of mind along with physical and moral courage to
persevere in the face of adversity
2. Temperance/Responsibility. Self-discipline to control passions and appetites; being
accountable, pursuing excellence, exercising self-restraint in action, statement; self-control
3. Prudence. Practical wisdom and the ability to make the right choice in specific situations
4. Justice/Fairness. Honesty, lawfulness, keeping promises; adherence to a balanced
standard of justice without relevance to one’s own feelings or inclinations
5. Trustworthiness. Deserving of trust or confidence, dependable, reliable; honesty, integrity,
loyalty; refraining from deception
6. Respect. Behavior toward others; civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy, tolerance,
and acceptance; the prohibition of humiliation, manipulation, and exploitation
7. Caring. Honest expressions of benevolence and altruism
8. Citizenship. The state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties behavior in
terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen
I think that these cover it, but I have grappled with the importance of resilience, grace, and
humor. What do you think?
Here is a list of ten people, in various fields, who I believe exemplify strong character. They
are hard to argue against unless you know something I don’t. Of course it is impossible to limit
it to ten, but who would be at the top of your list and why? More often than not, people with
great character are unsung, so feel free to get personal.