A Culture of Character

Kirk Douglas, in his autobiography, relates an amusing story. Driving along on the outskirts of Los Angeles one day, he stopped to pick up a hitchhiker. As the young man got into the car, he recognized the famous actor and, in awe, asked "Do you know who you are?"   Astonished by the simplicity but also the profundity of the question, Douglas pondered its meaning and considered if he even knew the answer.

 

Knowing who we are is fundamental to shaping ourselves, our companies and our firms into who we really want to be and how we are seen by others.  I firmly believe that successful and trustworthy companies are intentional and purposeful in their efforts to produce quality products and services and to sell those products and services within channels and systems which rely on truth and transparency.  These same companies and firms know who they are when it comes to treating employees as partners and associates, being sensitive to their care-taking environmental role and being an active and positive presence in their respective communities.

Yeah, I know that sounds like “motherhood and apple pie.”  Nice words but does anyone believe it or do it?  Actually many companies and firms—and I think most—subscribe to a purposeful plan of always knowing who they are and how they should behave in the marketplace.

Ever hear of Tom Hill, Chairman of KIMRAY, Oklahoma City?  Not only is Tom an outstanding leader of a remarkable company (recently awarded Center for the Public Trust’s Being a Difference Award), he is also the founder of an international organization, Character First! which provides families, schools, businesses and other organizations materials and training for building character.  His company, KIMRAY, manufacturer of control valves and related equipment for oil and gas producers, reflects Hill’s values by convening all its employees once a month, informing them of company performance, plans, and, yes, its values.  It’s just one more step in building character in a company and its employees.

Tom Hill’s 2010 book, Making Character First, is a guide to building a culture of character in organizations.  I was impressed with the Pocket Guide accompanying the book, which lists 49 character traits and their opposites and I offer them to you as not only a summary of the book but also a checklist of meaningful attributes to consider personally and professionally:

Alertness vs. Carelessness                           Attentiveness vs. Distraction

Availability vs. Self-Centeredness               Benevolence vs. Selfishness

Boldness vs. Fear                                         Cautiousness vs. Rashness

Compassion vs. Indifference                       Contentment vs. Covetousness

Creativity vs. Underachievement                Decisiveness vs. Procrastination

Deference vs. Rudeness                              Dependability vs. Inconsistency

Determination vs. Faintheartedness            Diligence vs. Laziness

Discernment vs. Shortsightedness              Discretion vs. Recklessness

Endurance vs. Despair                                Enthusiasm vs. Apathy

Faith vs. Ignorance                                     Flexibility vs. Stubbornness

Forgiveness vs. Rejection                          Generosity vs. Stinginess

Gentleness vs. Harshness                          Gratefulness vs. Presumption

Honor vs. Disrespect                                 Hospitality vs. Loneliness

Humility vs. Arrogance                             Initiative vs. Idleness

Joyfulness vs. Self-Pity                             Justice vs. Corruption

Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness                        Meekness vs. Rage          

Obedience vs. Rebellion                           Orderliness vs. Confusion

Patience vs. Restlessness                          Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness

Punctuality vs. Tardiness                          Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness

Responsibility vs. Unreliability                Security vs. Worry

Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence              Sensitivity vs. Callousness

Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy                            Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness

Thriftiness vs. Extravagance                    Tolerance vs. Hostility

Truthfulness vs. Dishonesty                     Virtue vs. Vice

Wisdom vs. Foolishness

Do you know who you are?  Does your company or firm know who it is?  A review of the character traits listed may give us further insight to answering the question that befuddled Kirk Douglas.

Ad astra per aspera