1 day Ago
So is there a different way to choose leaders in addition to listening to them speak or reading what they propose to do? There is one way I have found useful for considering potential leaders based on ethical theories, focused on responding to two questions you might ask of any person being considered. 1. Is this the kind of person I want to be? 2.
Is this the kind of person I want children to grow up to be? These two questions are grounded in the tradition of character or virtue ethics, as described by the philosopher Aristotle. It presupposes that a person’s character spills over even sometimes controls his actions. But what is character? It is the combination of your genes, choices, and behavior over a lifetime that show who you really are, not who others think you are or even who you think you are.
Here’s the basic notion of character as expressed by the philosopher Heraclitus: “character is destiny.” He meant that who you are in the deepest part of yourself shapes how you behave. As a general rule, you shouldn’t expect good consequences from someone who hasn’t exhibited good character, but you can reasonably anticipate positive outcomes from someone of good character.
You can’t blame your genes or your upbringing completely for the choices you have made, though you can often be shaped by the circumstances in which you find yourself, especially when growing up. But I have often found the people I most admire are those who have come from difficult beginnings but by their own choices and hard work become better human beings. You become a better person by practicing who you want to be.
Practice may not make you perfect, but it does make you a better person if you try to live by what you say you believe. For example, if you want to be a compassionate person, practice being kind. “We are what we repeatedly do,” wrote Aristotle.
The same applies if you want to be a thoughtful person — practice being thoughtful. It is not politically correct these days to speak about role models, but I think they are important, both for individual and societal well-being. One of my favorite characters was George, a lawyer in a small New England town.
He could have made a great deal of money by practicing law for a big city firm, but he chose to remain where he grew up to serve people there, especially those who didn’t have a great deal of money. He said the Golden Rule was his guide — treating others as he would want to be treated — fairly and with compassion..
I keep a photo of George on my office wall. He stands with a crowd of young people protesting a project that might hurt the environment. He put the general welfare above his personal interest.
Whenever I consider a decision I ask myself: “Is this the kind of decision George would make?” And usually my decision becomes more clear. Being a good or bad character is also the basis for being a role model. And role models do impact the behaviors of others, especially children.
When I want to pick a leader, I ask myself: “Is this the kind of person I want my children to be like when they grow up?” Another way to assess the character of potential leaders is to judge them by the company they kept. I find that good leaders surround themselves with people who share their values and vision. Show me a potential leader who chooses unethical followers and I will show you someone you don’t want to lead your organization.
There are ethical leaders in our time and in past times. The one I consult often for his wisdom is Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor who came to power in 161 A.D.
during a time of wars and internal problems. He led through turbulent times in ancient Rome with a steady hand and clear moral eye. This morning I was reading the meditations of Aurelius.
His words reached out across the centuries to remind me that even people in power can display great character. “Keep yourself simple, good, pure, saintly, plain, a friend of justice, god-fearing, gracious, affectionate, and strong for your proper work. Fight to remain the person that philosophy wished to make you.
Revere the gods, and look after each other. Life is short — the fruit of this life is a good character and acts for the common good.” John C.
Morgan is an author and teacher. He can be reached at [email protected].
.
