Are you driven by Emotion? Or Character?
ByEarlier this week on Facebook and Twitter, I shared this statement from Dick Biggs:
The greatest gap in life is the one between knowing and doing.
Life would certainly be easier – and success more simple – if all it took to achieve was to KNOW the right things and DECIDE to do them, right? But I think it’s more accurate to say that a decision is just one bookend of achievement. The other is discipline. Decisions can only help us start. Discipline helps us finish.
That’s where character comes in. Emotion might drive us to make a decision. But character is what keeps us going, even when it gets hard.
In Developing the Leader Within You, I wrote about some differences between character-driven and emotion-driven people:
Character-driven people…
- Do right, then feel good.
- Are commitment driven.
- Make principle-based decisions.
- Let action control attitude.
- Believe it, then see it.
- Create momentum.
- Ask, “What are my responsibilities?
- Continue when problems arise.
- Are steady.
- Are leaders.
Emotion-driven people…
- Feel good, then do right.
- Are convenience-driven.
- Make popular decisions.
- Let attitude control action.
- See it, then believe it.
- Wait for momentum.
- Ask, “What are my rights?”
- Quit when problems arise.
- Are moody.
- Are followers.
The late Louis L’Amour is one of the best-selling authors of all time, with over 300 million copies of his popular western novels and short-story collections sold. When asked the key to his prolific writing, he responded, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
This was such a good word for me today! I have slipped into making decisions according to how I feel! But am glad to be making principled decisions today!
Wow. This is great! Now I can do something rather than do nothing.
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I think every leader goes through the period of slipping into being emotionally driven particularly in an intense atmosphere. However, I agree that successful leadership will begin to happen when one can harness their emotions and be character driven. I needed this post today to help get refocused in my own leadership role.
God created us body, soul and spirit. When our heart is pure then our purpose can be packed with power, passion and great emotion embodied in integrity. Emotion is not bad, God created it, but it has to be guarded and guided in truth. God passion is what drives my life, the Spirit, is pneuma life, and what makes us alive.
how do i create momentum on purpose :/ ?
Personally I try not to step out until I get the go ahead from God. All the trips that I took in 2009 well when I got there the people told me they had been fasting & praying. Character driven but even more importantly don’t step out until I get the go ahead from God. I’m blessed to have mentors that hold me to this.
Phillip,
Purpose is reason for being with a destination. Purpose is predetermined we must discover it.
Purpose is hidden in our passions that give us direction. Purpose is given from God. Even Pharoah had a purpose. Exod 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Purpose is the ost exicting, God-given, gift you will ever discover!
I have spent the more important time of my life developing my character, and it has was done so through emotional actions; however, it was the reactions of those who share a higher love and trust that make me want to produce positive emotional efforts for the sake of my character that brings to me the most love.
Been reading and making notes out of Your Book ” Ultimate Leadership” this teaching included in it. I have learn a lot and it gives me direction of how can I help those church falling apart. Just right at this moment My husband and I are bless to help a church with very poor character.
And ofcourse this help me also develop myself.
God bless and Thank You!
Very impresive GBY
is it possible to be both? i mean half of each?
Similar to the adage that goes; When in doubt, make a decision anyway. I think Schwartskopf said that. Neve a truer word spoken.
There is probably some of both in everyone. The leaders who can keep their emotions normalized can add extra value to their character side.
Absolutely, what I needed for reassurance of how I try to make decisions. I may screw up, but I want to screw up trying to make the right decision. thanks
If you don’t feel like doing something or making a decision you probably won’t. Character-driven people make decisions even when they don’t feel like it because they have become disciplined enough to do that.
Always a thank you to Maxwell and his followers. Here is my take on this. Emotions are indicators; however do not allow them to be drivers.
On the topic of Leadership you be might be interested to see the video posts by Vineet Nayar
On the topic of Leadership you be might be interested to see the video posts by Vineet Nayar http://www.vineetnayar.com/the-irrelevant-boss/
Ouch! …That’s all I have to say. It’s a harsh reality to see you’ve let your life slip from character to emotion. Thankful for God’s grace.
Some character driven individuals are followers, not leaders.
In reading this my first thought was: Emotions come and go and they are a part of our makeup. But character is the blocks to really build life with. I sure do like like to think in the terms of being solid or life with a firm foundation. A real leader in life knows his direction. Thanks, makes us think. Charles Harelson
I just needed this..the last 2 yrs have been not Good 4 me coz i did allow emotions control me than character and this plummeted my carrier not nearly a zero rate.
“Decisions can only help us start. Discipline helps us finish”
John,
I agree that decisions are only one step to achievement, but there also must be an acknowledgement that life cannot be predicted or prescribed as to “ends”, as life is a process and is complex, which has little to do with achievement, but it does have to do with emotion.
Emotion is an aspect of gauging or guarding boundaries arounds greatest concern or value. And this reflective endeavor is about wisdom, and not speculation or postivism.
One may decide to get a certain degree, but then learns that that particular discipline is not really their gifting or their ultimate value. This happens often to students in college when they are trying to know what and where they should place their commitment. It would be a little pre-emptive and damaging for a “leader” to suggest that they MUST finish their first choice, otherwise, they have no character! So, character is as much about growing and development as it is “outcome” of a particular kind.
One cannot equate character with anything particularly, as character is gauged by life in general and the individual’s own personal values, in particular. Values may change over the persons life span and circumstances in life certainly do.
One cannot suggest that character is defined by success, goal, or achievement as in a straight line from A to Z!
And one should not gauge a person by “submissive qualities” alone.
Stoicism believes that one should submit to “fate”, and Christians are told that this is what is best, to “let go” and “let God”. This is where rights are important values to uphold! Because apart from understanding one’s boundaries, which is a “right” to exist apart or differently from another, then there will be abuse of power from those in leadership. Leaders should be the ones that value another’s right!
Those that have made the most impact have “gone outside the box” to define, or re-define what needs change, challenge, or questioning. And these were the ones who went against the grain to seek their passion or desire.
Wow John,
Thank you for a great weekend. And what an honor it is to have been listed in your book. You are truly a man that makes a difference.
wow.. its a bulls eye things… for the majority of us, who are in the middle of an ocean waiting for the right desicion. Thanks, Sir John
I was fortunate enough to have been raised by wonderful parents both of whom stressed the importance of character based decisions. Many times, I think people trade integrity, like currency, to manipulate perception. How many times can we influence someone to make a more character based decision by simply breaking the chain… or simply asking if that is the right thing to do?
I believe character based decisions are always a “we” factor involved, while emotional decisions are based on “me.” I assert that one will only truly grow after the concept of “me” is humbly traded for the concept of “we.” Then organizations and lives can begin to prosper to heights that once seemed unreachable.
Thanks for all your wise words John! Always looking forward to reading your next work. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me as a leader but most importantly, as a person.
Know people in both categories. The challenge is the art of leading the emotional-driven team mates to become character-driven….
Would it be fair to say that the emotion-driven person is reacting to their circumstances and a character-driven person is leading into theirs?
What an impressive list. I will share it with my whole team.
Jim
John,
Your books have made a major impact in my life and leadership. The challenge of living by character is making the right decision between E+R = O. Events + Response. Living by character means making the right decision between this space to get the right Outcome.
Gerald
Mr. Maxwell
I love your work and your an inspiration to me in all you do. You have defined what it means to be a true leader by your words and more importantly by your actions..
Charles
Thank you for all you do Mr. Maxwell. You are trully a man of influence.
Your characted vs. emotion driven list has given me a lot to reflect on and something specific to strive for.