Leadership 101

For over a decade I have commented that the most important quality in a leader is their character.  This overrides any outstanding virtue associated with competencies.  And while it is obviously best to have a strong mixture of both, the absence of character is far more devastating to success than an absence of competence.

This week we are seeing that played out in real time in the conflict raging in Ukraine.

President Zelenski entered office in 2019 with no prior experience on the political stage.  Apart from playing the role of President in a Ukrainian TV comedy, his background is devoid of any political experience.

In contrast, Russia’s Putin has been on the political stage for almost 30 years.  He served in municipal roles prior to ascending to the big stage almost 20 years ago.  During this time he has honed his political skills.  But he has sacrificed any notion of character in a single minded pursuit of power.

In the David versus Goliath conflict that we are witnesses to, the Ukrainian citizens have rallied behind a leader who declared ‘…give me weapons, not an escape plan…’ His courage and faith in the resolve of his people is inspiring support around the world.  How long it will last remains uncertain but his legacy is being built every hour.

In Russia, thousands are facing arrest and imprisonment by demonstrating against Putin.  Members of his own cabinet are opposed to his actions and the world’s condemnation is coming from all corners.  His legacy is being torn down minute by minute.

It has been said that everything works out in the end.  If it has not yet worked out, then it is not the end.  CHARACTER WILL ALWAYS WIN IN THE END. Let us celebrate in advance the victory that will come…when the end has been written.