admin I went to work like any other day, except I was feeling terrified and anxious.
I was about to learn a life lesson on the importance of character in leadership. My heart was pounding and my mind racing as I thought to myself, “Are you sure, Dustin? Will you later regret this? Is there any other way to do this?”
I did my best to paste on a smile as I was greeting my coworkers on the way to my office. I sat quietly at my desk with a pit in my stomach. The tears began to flow. I had been working at a church as a Children’s Pastor for the past eight years and loved the work I was doing. My plan was to be a pastor for the remainder of my life – it was my chosen career. However,
I knew what I had to do.
Even if it hurt.
Even if others wouldn’t understand.
Even if I didn’t fully understand.
I knew what I had to do.
I went to my supervisor’s office, shut the door, and said in a less-than-confident voice, “I need to speak with you.” After a few minutes of open conversation, I finally said what I never thought I’d say, “I have to quit working here.” Back at my desk, I began to sob because my time in that career had come to an end.
Can you relate to losing something important to you?
As a pastor, I was consumed by what others thought about me and my reputation. I felt significant because I was part of a young, growing organization. The excitement and allurement were intoxicating. I loved being well-known and well-liked. I liked feeling successful. Unfortunately, I allowed these distractions to keep me from developing my character. My attitude had become, “What would they do without me? I cannot quit because it might hurt the progress of this growing church.” The problem with this thinking is that we come to see ourselves as bigger and better than we really are. My favorite definition of character is the person I am when no one is looking. I spent more time consumed by what others thought about me than I ever did about who I was when no one was looking!
The Law of the Ladder says, “Character growth determines the height of your personal growth.” Our character is the limiting factor in our personal and professional growth. The most talented leader will implode without strong character to stabilize them. I learned this lesson from experience.
Do you have strong character? Does your reputation match the leader you are when no one is looking?
Leadership expert and author, John Maxwell, writes in his Law of the Ladder, “Honesty, which is the core of good character, is the quality that most enhances or damages personal reputations” (The Invaluable 15 Laws of Growth, p. 143).
