Character can be defined as a set of moral principles.  It is also defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. Character is what you know about somebody, either through experience of dealing with them or by what you have learned about them. Character is the set of attributes that defines a person’s moral and ethical integrity. It reflects a person’s attitude towards others and his or her own belief system. It is a collective term for the distinguishing mental qualities of an individual. The major traits of good character are honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, kindness, morality. A person with good character is honest and truthful not only about important matters but also little things. They are trustworthy because they don’t lie, cheat or steal; they also fulfill their promises and commitments. They are truthful in communication and feedback.

Good character is important in life, because it opens you up to more opportunities, as a human being with human interactions. Having just one person with good character can change a lot of lives, so having the world full of graceful hearts can do so much for us. Having it cannot be done by just being kind you have to have a kind heart and mind. By definition, that is what it takes to have character; the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. Now to the question, who has it and who doesn’t? Everyone has character whether they see it or not. It doesn’t matter that everyone accepts that statement, just that everyone understands this. Character matters and it has an impact on society.

People judge and accept us in their lives on the thought of our character. Character is some things that come from within and are usually long-lived. An honest character helps one develop a winning personality. Some good character traits that tend to guide to “success”. Our character determines how we reply to the situations and circumstances of life. Truthfulness, tolerance, alertness, sincerity, intelligence, cleverness, and better-thinking skills are needed in one to realize success in life. In keeping with Frank Sonnenberg, “strong moral character builds trust, strengthens respect, promotes loyalty, and translates to rock-solid reputations”. Our language, behavior, manner, and attitude reflect our character. Everyone expects us to be polite, gentle, social, cooperative, honest, disciplined, kind, and friendly to others. In this article we will discuss some of the important benefits of having a good character.

Before I share the benefits of a strong character, you should know these fundamental truths about character:

* Character is developed over time. Every day, your character is being tested. It’s being tested by the tough choices life brings you. It’s tested when you’re placed under pressure. Depending on the choices you make, your character is either being erected or eroded. Wise choices build; unwise ones destroy.

* Character always reveals itself. Your character is defined by who you are at your core. It’s easy to put up a front and to wear a mask, but in the long run, who you really are is always revealed. If you have a poor character, sooner or later, it’ll show. Conversely, if you have a strong character, people may not notice it at first, but sooner or later, it’ll show.

The benefits of a strong character are numerous. Listed below are some of them.

* BUILD A ROCK-HARD REPUTATION. People with character command a rock-solid reputation. This helps them attract exciting opportunities “like a magnet.”

* REDUCE NERVOUSNESS. People with character carry less baggage. They’re comfortable within their own skin, and they accept responsibility for their actions. They never have to play games, waste precious time keeping their stories straight, or invent excuses to cover their behind.

* BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE. People with character don’t worry about embarrassment if their actions are publicly disclosed. This alleviates the need for damage control or the fear of potential disgrace as a result of indiscretions.

* BECOME A OPTIMISTIC ROLE MODEL. People with character set the standard for excellence. They live their life as an open book, teaching others important life lessons through their words and their deeds.

* LIVE A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE. People with character live a life they can be proud of. They’re driven to make a difference and to do right by others rather than trying to impress others with extravagance. (Sounds like a wonderful legacy to me.)

* BUILD A STRONG BUSINESS. Doing the right thing is good business. Everything else being equal, talented people would rather work for and customers would rather buy from companies that do right by their people, customers, and communities. While unprincipled business tactics may provide short-term results, it’s NOT a long-term strategy.

* CHARACTER ATTRACTS TRUST. People with a strong character are considered trustworthy by others. And when people trust, they let down their guard and open up.

* CHARACTER GIVES YOU INSPIRATION. This is related to the previous point. It’s far easier to influence someone who trusts you than someone who doesn’t. People with a strong character genuinely seek what’s best for others. Because of this, their influence on others is positive.

* CHARACTER UPHOLDS SUCCESSES. When people with a strong character achieve successes, they remain humble. Because they stay grounded, it prevents them from falling from high.

* CHARACTER BROOKS IN TOUGH TIMES. When the going gets tough, people with a strong character keep going. They continue to do the right thing, even when they don’t feel like it.

* CHARACTER STANCES IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION. People with a stronger character remain true to themselves. They stand for what they believe in and value, even in the face of opposition and adversity.

It is important to have good character in order to be a great and successful person. Without having good character, you will not be able to gain the trust and respect of people around you. It is important to be truthful about everything including little things, as it reflects your honesty and integrity towards others.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 08 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.