Why have articles on character?

Why have articles on character?

Beginning with the January 2006 issue of our newsletter, we are including a new and very interesting feature. We’re adding motivating stories, quotations and anecdotes that are designed to help us all to increase our appreciation for integrity, or character.

So, why would we include character-building stories in a professional business newsletter that mostly pertains to quality and manufacturing? Well, as I’ve been reading some of the old anecdotes and short stories written centuries ago, I’m surprised at the quality of the stories, and the fact that the learning and practicing of character, or integrity, was so much more prevalent way back when. I also see that by and large, these “teachings” by way of stories and anecdotes, are missing from our normal everyday routine.

Also, simply stated, character determines success. Everyone wants to be successful. I truly believe that readers of our QCIS newsletter want to be successful – I’m increasingly aware of that fact the more I talk with so many of you each day and correspond with you via email. Just the fact that you’re always on the lookout for more relevant training opportunities tells me that you’re on the success track. I know, and I think you’ll agree, that good character is the core element (or, should we say, Root Cause) of true success – whether it be at work, at home or, by it’s definition, anywhere (when no one is watching)!

What is the definition of character anyway?

Char’ ac ter n. ["to cut, engrave"] The stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual's life which determine his response regardless of circumstances. American Dictionary of the English Language

Character defined: Character can be defined practically in a variety of ways such as:
• The inward motivation to do what is right
• Who you are, even when no one is watching
• The key to true success in every area of life

"Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures."
Horace Greeley

"Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character." Senator Henry Clay

Why do we need to emphasize character at the workplace?

It has been said, “We hire for skills, but we fire for character.” Every employee we hire impacts our organization's productivity, morale, profits, and customer service. When drug problems, high workers' compensation costs, high turnover rates, and employee absenteeism force management to spend more time dealing with personnel problems than manufacturing issues, we begin to realize that the most significant problems are related to the lack of personal character.

Today's visible workplace challenges are really surface issues that stem from poor character. Absenteeism, for instance, runs rampant when employees lack responsibility. Avoidable accidents occur when alertness is missing. Drug and alcohol abuse result from a lack of self-control and virtue. Nearly every personnel challenge can be linked to a deficit in one or more character qualities.

It is only through building good character that you can reach your full potential. Character is developed as specific qualities are applied on a daily basis. Good character makes you a better spouse, parent, employee, neighbor, and citizen.

What are some tangible benefits of improved character in the business world?

By implementing character in the workplace, organizations can realize lasting benefits in the following ways:

• Enhanced Morale
• Increased Productivity
• Reduced Staff Turnover
• Improved Product/Service Quality
• Strengthened Customer Relationships
• Lowered Workers' Compensation
• Heightened Profitability

Here is a quote from someone who has emphasized character development in his company: “After only the second year of the character emphasis, [we were] amazed to see a great increase in morale, a decrease of 80% in workers' compensation costs, and a 25% increase in profits, even though the market was depressed. Today, our employees have more than just a job: they are now representatives of a new way of doing business.”

Most of the material that we’ll be including is taken from the Character First! bulletins, published by the Character Training Institute, used with permission. Some items will be taken from older non-copyrighted sources.

All of the articles, stories and anecdotes relate to the following 49 character qualities:

Alertness
Attentiveness
Availability
Benevolence
Boldness
Cautiousness
Compassion
Contentment
Creativity
Decisiveness
Deference
Dependability
Determination Diligence
Discernment
Discretion
Endurance

Enthusiasm
Faith
Flexibility
Forgiveness
Generosity
Gentleness
Gratefulness
Honor
Hospitality Humility
Initiative
Joyfulness
Justice
Loyalty
Meekness
Obedience

Orderliness
Patience
Persuasiveness
Punctuality
Resourcefulness
Responsibility Security
Self-Control
Sensitivity
Sincerity
Thoroughness
Thriftiness
Tolerance
Truthfulness
Virtue
Wisdom

Each month we’ll include a short story, an anecdote and some relevant quotations (sprinkled throughout the newsletter) relating to a certain character quality. We’ll also define a character quality using an “operational” definition, which is slightly different than the dictionary definition, usually defined so that it relates specifically to the business environment.

For example, the first character quality we’ve included is Responsibility. The operational definition for this quality is, “Knowing what is expected of me, and doing it.” The story tells of certain aspects of the life of Louisa May Alcott, and how she displayed responsibility after her father died by taking on duties needed to provide for her sisters and mother.

For those who want to take the character-building seriously and want to take their commitment it to the next level, we’ll also include, for each character quality, 5 “I Wills.” The 5 “I Wills” for Responsibility are:

I WILL:
• keep my promises
• not make excuses
• do my work to the best of my ability
• make things right when I do something wrong
• know and do my duty

Conclusion

Although the teachings of the 49 character qualities are not “religious” in nature, they are universally accepted by all religions and philosophies. It is impossible to separate truth, morals and good works from Biblical values; in fact all of the 49 character qualities have their foundation in the Bible.

I hope you enjoy reading this new addition to our newsletters. I would really appreciate any comments that you may have, or any concerns. Our goal is to provide a very useful newsletter to our quality, education and manufacturing professionals.