Why Good Character Matters

Character is often used interchangeably with personality, which further confuses its definition and distorts its meaning. Personality and character are different. Personality refers to individual differences in thinking, feeling, and behaving. These are personality characteristics; they are not character. Character is the totality of qualities and features by which a person is distinguished from another. It encompasses their mental, emotional, and intellectual nuances.

When we speak of character, as in "characterized by," we imply distinction, or make reference to a distinguishing feature. One can have a unique personality that adds to their character, but one's character is deeper than one's personality; it's who they are at the core. It's who you are when no one is watching.

The thing about character, like personality, is that we all have it. What we all don't have is good character. Good character is marked by the demonstration of good (i.e., positive) character traits - the kind that make you a good citizen or a good leader - such as courage, honesty, and integrity. Transparency has to be a modern addition.

There are also moral and social components to having good character. Men and women who hold this perception tend to conduct themselves, publicly and privately, in ways that are consistent with social and moral expectations. The minute they falter is the minute their (good) character is called into question. This is called a fall from grace. Yes, you can be a good person who has done a bad thing, but you can't do bad things and have good character. 

This is why good character matters more than ever. When we live in a climate/era where there's more focus on one's brand (personality) than one's (good) character, we should not be surprised when all that glitters is not gold; it's because it was not gold at its core - it was spray painted gold - and the paint, not the character, held the allure.

Personalities appeal to the eyes; character appeals to the soul. Personalities cause conflict; conflicts and challenges reveal character. When we became adept at recognizing what's bad in the world, we should also be attuned to what can be the antidote: people in power, in leadership roles, and in your life who have good character.