The Courage to Lead with Character
After studying Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following:
In leadership, your character matters just as much as your skills. A leader’s character is shaped by virtues like courage, wisdom, fairness, and self-control. These virtues help guide their decisions and actions. The quote from Theodore Roosevelt reminds us that true leadership isn’t about criticizing others but about being brave enough to step into challenges, make mistakes, and try again. This is where character comes in.
This week, we focus on four key virtues:
- Prudence (Wisdom) – Making smart choices based on careful thinking.
- Justice (Fairness) – Treating everyone with respect and equality.
- Temperance (Self-Control) – Keeping your emotions and actions in balance.
- Courage – Facing difficulties head-on and making tough choices.
As a leader, these virtues help you lead authentically and courageously. They allow you to show vulnerability, admit mistakes, and learn from them. Sometimes, leaders also need the courage to end something, like a project or relationship, to make room for something new and better.
Discussion Question: Think about a time when you saw a leader act with courage, fairness, or wisdom. How did that leader show their character in that situation? What did you learn from how they led?
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 200 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
Materials:
