This document discusses the importance of strong character for effective leadership. It makes three key points: 1) A leader's character is more important than their skills, as 90% of leadership is determined by character rather than 10% by skills. Character is shaped by factors like self-discipline, core values, self-awareness, and emotional stability. 2) Building strong character takes work over time from a young age. Small acts of dishonesty can grow without discipline. Leaders must lead themselves well through character before leading others. 3) An effective leader's strong internal character will support and sustain their external leadership abilities and influence over others. True leadership stems from developing character from the inside out.

1. The Iceberg:
A Leader’s Character
A’KENA LONGBENTON, ABD, EDS
HUB STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
3.10.18

2. 10% vs. 90%
 10% = Your Skill
 90% = Your Character
 Our leadership is influenced by what other can’t see
about us.

3. What makes up our character?
 Self-discipline: Do you do what’s right even if you don’t
feel like it?
 Core Values: What are your moral standards?
 Sense of Identity: Are you realistic about your gifts and
personality?
 Emotional Security: Are you emotionally stable and
consistent?

4. Never Neglect
Building your Character
 Your skills may get you to the top, but your character
will keep you there.
 Consider Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, and Pastor
Jimmy Swaggart’s stories.
 If you don’t have strong character, you will eventually
sabotage your leadership.

5. Building your Character
 Our character is usually determined when we are
young.
 If you lie or cheat on an exam for example, it can
eventually (in your adult life) turn into fraud, robbery,
scandal, etc.
 Do you operate within a moral compass?

6. Leadership = Influence
 Can you be a leader without being a good person?
 Yes, consider Adolph Hitler. He did not use his
influence for good. Share his story.
 Do not develop your skills at the expense of your
character and integrity.
 You must lead yourself well before you can lead others.

7. Our Character will
Support or Sink Us
 A weak character will eventually damage our ability
to lead.
 What’s below the surface (our character) will either
support or sink our skills (our competencies).

8. Inside  Out
 True leadership is built from the inside out.
 What happens externally usually stems from what’s
happening internally.

9. Our Character is our Foundation
 Consider a house that stands for decades.
 It is supported by a strong foundation.
 The outside (visible) is only a reflection of what’s
beneath (the invisible).

10. Leaders’ Self-Awareness
 Use your feelings to make life decisions that you can live
with.
 What is your inner voice saying?
 Know your limits/strengths and laugh at yourself. Some
of us take ourselves too seriously.
 Have self confidence and be self assured. Don’t always
rely on others to lift your spirits.

11. Reflection Questions
 In today’s time, why is it difficult to focus on the “inside?”
 Why is so much emphasis put on the “outside” of our lives?
 Effective and long-term leaders place “being” before “doing.”
 True leadership is about our person before it is about our
practice.

12. Next Steps
 Consider what you don’t like doing.
Chores, homework, dealing with a difficult person,
exercise, diet, etc.
Are you a procrastinator? Are you impatient?
Pick two things and deliberately start doing them.

13. Next Steps cont.
If you are consistent for 21 days, you will
eventually become disciplined in this area.
Those areas will become your new habits.

14. Accountability Partner Activity
 After 21 days, reflect on the following questions:
Did you feel a sense of accomplishment?
Did you waver in your commitment?
How does daily discipline pave the way for
conquering laziness and indifference?

15. Partner Activity cont.
How have you gained personal victory by
practicing these disciplines?
How did this activity strengthen your character?

16. How are you managing your time?
 Effective leaders manage their time wisely.
 Slackers waste time.
 Rhetorical questions: Do you give more time to your
priorities or to your activities?
 Watch time management video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei63qdN-G0g

17. Final Words
 It all starts within.
 Read a London bishop’s tombstone.

18. Emotional Intelligence
 EQ—better equips you to lead and manage change.
 “Emotional Intelligence” (Daniel Goleman, 1995 &
2005).
 Small Group Activity

19. Social Intelligence
 For our social intelligence, our aim should be to make the world a
better place.
 What image are you projecting on social media?
 If an employer pulled up a random status on FB, what would she find?
Words of encouragement? You talking to your “haters”? Inspirational
quotes? You ranting about your child’s father/mother, children, co-
workers, family members?
 Be mindful of your digital footprints. Nothing is ever completely erased
even when we “delete” it. Others can still find it.
 Share TACOM soldier student Googling me example.