As leaders, what do you think is more important: Competence or Character

2014-03-03T15:08:21-05:00

What if any emphasis should be placed on one more than the other and why?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 3 at 2014 3:16 PM

2014-03-03T15:16:07-05:00

Aren't they really one in the same? Good competence is a result of good character and visa versa.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Mar 3 at 2014 3:28 PM

2014-03-03T15:28:02-05:00

This is a very interesting question. Strength of character is very important in both subordinates and in leaders. I value strength of character in my subordinates more than I do competence. My reasoning is that if I give a task to a subordinate, I would expect that if they get stuck, or run into obstacles, strength of character would bring them back to ask for additional guidance or assistance. From those experiences, they would gain competence. From my leaders, I expect strength of character and competence. I expect sound guidance and I also expect them to stand by their words.

Response by 2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 3:49 PM

2014-03-03T15:49:34-05:00

Character, competence can be developed over time and with the correct training. Character can be developed too but is much harder and sometimes never occurs. If your soldier has good character, the army values are already instilled and the soldier can become great.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Mar 3 at 2014 3:57 PM

2014-03-03T15:57:19-05:00

I believe character is much more important. if someone doesn't have character, there is no place at all for any organization. If they don't have competence, they can be taught and it is something that can be learned. Character cannot. If they have the right character, everything will follow suit!

Response by SGT Christopher Shegog made Mar 3 at 2014 4:01 PM

2014-03-03T16:01:43-05:00

Competence

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 3 at 2014 4:02 PM

2014-03-03T16:02:09-05:00

Yes, You need both as a leader, without either you wil be ineffective.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Mar 3 at 2014 4:09 PM

2014-03-03T16:09:40-05:00

Skills can be developed through formal schooling and mentorship. We all typically continue our professional education throughout our careers. We all continue to develop new skills and new levels of competence so an immediate lack of a specific talent isn't fatal to a leader. It can be gained through one manner or another.

Character on the other hand, if missing, is a much harder fix. Character takes so long to develop and is so deeply rooted in personality that by the time a person rises to a leadership position, their inner self is already firmly solidified and not likely to change for the better. If they have bad habits, they will almost assuredly continue them short of some miraculous epiphany (a rare event indeed). Without character, nothing else of value is possible.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 5 at 2014 12:09 AM

2014-03-05T00:09:48-05:00

Both are mandatory. Without character, you're untrustworthy. Without competence, you're useless...

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Mar 5 at 2014 2:41 PM

2014-03-05T14:41:55-05:00

I would say character. I think that's what made me effective as a combat leader. I was older when I went downrange & had a hard time with some things but my character helped. I took a summary of my weak points & my strengths. In my weak areas, I utilized my men who were competent in those areas. I learned from them but still utilized them since they were still better than I was. If I had less of a character I wouldn't have the guts to tap into the competence from my men. The added benefit is after I retired those lower enlisted guys moved up in rank & became effective combat leaders themselves.

Response by 1SG Michael Minton made Mar 6 at 2014 1:39 AM

2014-03-06T01:39:10-05:00

In myself as a leader, if i had to choose one, i would say competence. If you talking about my subordiinants, i would say character. But Preferably both in myself as a leader! but id have to say competence. If your not competent, you cannot teach your subordinates, and once they know your comtetent they will follow the person that knows what they are doing. you can have good character and it will take you along ways, until they think you are incompetent at your job or being a leader, then you will lose them. nobody ever said you had to like your leader. i have had asshole leaders, but they knew what they were doing and if they said something, you could count on it being right. character allows you to get them to do things they may not want to do, but it can lead them the wrong way if your not competent. i take it that the question is about me as a leader.