The 29 profiles you will read in Robert
L. Dilenschneider’s new book, Character, are about people who
are exceptional exemplars of character. They’re inspirational because they used
their abilities at their highest levels to work for causes they believed in.
Because of character, they influenced the world for good.
The dictionary defines “character” as
the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual, the distinctive
nature of something, the quality of being individual in an interesting or
unusual way, strength and originality in a person’s nature, and a person’s good
reputation.
“But beyond these definitions, we know
that character is manifested in leadership, innovation, resilience, change,
courage, loyalty, breaking barriers, and more,” explains Robert (Bob), “Character
drives the best traits in our society, such as honesty, integrity, leadership,
and transparency, and it drives others to exhibit those qualities.”
Profiled in the book are individuals
in fields as diverse as politics, religion, medicine, business, sports,
entertainment, and the military, including:
- Nelson Mandela
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Susan B. Anthony
- Stephen Hawking
- Lou Gehrig
- Winston Churchill
- Margaret Chase Smith
- Mother Theresa
- Arthur Ashe
- Margaret Thatcher
- Bill Russell
- Jimmy Stewart
- Steve Jobs
- Florence Nightingale
- Edith Cavell
- Walt Disney
- Colin Powell
- John McCain
- Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
- Frederick Banting
- Emmeline Pankhurst
- Katherine Graham
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
In the book’s Chapter Eleven Bob
summarizes the character and leadership lessons learned from each profiled person.
Some of my favorite takeaways from those lessons are:
- It’s best to lead by example, and that
example should be consistent. - Don’t take yourself seriously all the
time. Self-deprecation can be a tool to express a resilient character. - Think beyond the immediate. There are
generally bigger-picture implications of your actions. - Leaders inspire by displaying courage,
both in word and deed. - Courage is sometimes knowing when to
stop. - Leadership emerges when times are
hardest. - Loyalty comes from trust. Trust comes
from honesty. - See the possibilities, not the
limitations.
“If you try to emulate
some of the people you’ve read about in the book, here’s a piece of advice:
Don’t try to emulate them all. Nobody can do that,” says Bob. “It’s better to
pick one or two of these heroes and heroines in your particular area of
interest or expertise and try to be like them.”
“Also, I hope you’ll go back and jot
down a few stories or quotations that especially moved you and pass them along
to family and friends and bear them in mind as you get on with your career and life,”
adds Bob.
Robert L. Dilenschneider
Bob shares these additional insights with us:
Question: Of all the many people you featured in your book,
how did you choose the individuals you profiled?
Bob: I wanted to highlight
individuals who exemplified extraordinary character—people who faced
significant adversity and still managed to lead with integrity, resilience, and
courage.
The 29 individuals
in Character come from diverse fields—politics, science,
religion, business, sports, and the military—because leadership and strong
character are not confined to one area of life. Figures like Nelson Mandela,
Florence Nightingale, and Walt Disney all overcame obstacles, yet their
defining traits—whether resilience, innovation, or loyalty—shaped history in
meaningful ways. My goal was to provide real-world examples that future
generations can look to for guidance and inspiration.
Question: If a leader can master only one- or two-character
qualities from the nine discussed in the book, which do you recommend and why?
Bob: If I had to choose just
two, I’d say courage and integrity.
Courage is essential
because every great leader faces moments of uncertainty, doubt, and challenge.
Take Winston Churchill—his steadfast leadership during World War II helped
steer Britain through one of its darkest times. Courage allows leaders to make difficult
decisions, stand firm in their convictions, and face adversity without
faltering.
Integrity is just as
critical. Without it, leadership crumbles. John McCain’s unwavering commitment
to his values, even under the harshest conditions, earned him the respect of
both allies and adversaries. Integrity builds trust, and trust is the foundation
of effective leadership.
Mastering these two traits
provides a leader with the moral compass to make the right decisions and the
fortitude to carry them through.
Question: The Lessons section at the end of the book is so
helpful. Why did you decide to include it?
Bob: I wanted Character to
be more than just a collection of stories—it needed to be a practical guide.
It’s easy to admire great leaders from afar, but the real value comes in
applying their lessons to our own lives.
Throughout the book, I
highlight the defining traits that shaped these individuals—whether it was
Steve Jobs’ relentless innovation or Eleanor Roosevelt’s advocacy for human
rights. The Lessons section distills these insights into actionable takeaways
so that readers don’t just learn about leadership and character but actively
work on strengthening their own.
My hope is that by
reflecting on these lessons, readers will feel empowered to cultivate their own
leadership qualities and make decisions that are rooted in strong character.
Question: How does self-awareness
contribute to building character, and what steps can someone take to strengthen
this skill?
Bob: Self-awareness is the
foundation of character. A leader who truly understands their strengths,
weaknesses, and motivations can make more principled decisions and lead with
confidence.
One of the most important
steps to strengthening self-awareness is reflection. Many of the
individuals in my book, Colin Powell, for example, took time to analyze their
experiences and learn from both their successes and failures. Another crucial
step is seeking honest feedback—the best leaders aren’t afraid to ask for
constructive criticism and adjust accordingly.
Understanding history also
plays a role. Leaders like Václav Havel and Anwar Sadat understood the past and
used that knowledge to shape a better future.
Lastly, practicing mindfulness,
being aware of how you respond to challenges—can help you act with intention
rather than impulse.
By developing
self-awareness, leaders ensure that their actions align with their values,
reinforcing their character and the trust others place in them.
Question: If a reader could take one
action today to start embodying the lessons from your book, what would it be?
Bob: Start small but be intentional—pick one character
trait from the book that resonates with you and commit to practicing it every
day.
For example, if resilience
stands out to you, study how Nelson Mandela endured 27 years in prison without
losing hope and apply that mindset when facing your own challenges. If
integrity is your focus, think about how Eleanor Roosevelt stayed true to her
principles despite opposition, and make choices that reflect your own values.
Leadership isn’t built
overnight, but the conscious effort to practice good character, even in small
ways, leads to real transformation. The key is to act—because developing
character is not about what we say, but what we do.
___
Robert L. Dilenschneider formed The Dilenschneider Group in
October 1991. Headquartered in New York, Miami, and Chicago, the Firm provides
strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies and leading families and
individuals around the world, with experience in fields ranging from mergers
and acquisitions and crisis communications to marketing, government affairs,
and international media.
Thank you to the book’s
publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book.
