Reflecting on Character: Why Is It the Only Enduring Quality in Our Careers?

I read this quote somewhere, but I find it enriched with all the ingredients required to be a good professional!

"FAME IS A VAPOUR
POPULARITY AN ACCIDENT
RICHES TAKE WINGS
ONLY ONE THING ENDURES
AND THAT IS CHARACTER"

Share your views also.

Cheers,
Archna

The question I want to ask here is: Can the character of a person be the most important thing?

Character includes ethics, values, morals, attitude, personality, and good nature. If anything can be added to that, please do so.

Do share your views and expert comments on that.

Cheers,
Archna

Dear Archana,

Character includes ethics, values, morals, attitude, personality, and good nature. The various qualities required for a human being are brought under the above factors.

My main concern is whether the above factors are maintained continuously, or depending upon their whims and fancy, do they change? Many people, in order to get certain facilities and in order not to lose certain facilities, just forget their ethics, morals, etc. When we quote their sudden changes in their behavior, they say they are right, and we must know how to behave in a diplomatic way.

So, the above qualities indeed play a very vital role, provided they are part of their blood and very natural, not unnatural.

Wishes,
Senthil Raj

Well, in my view, becoming successful and popular is easy. But it requires a lot of character (values, principles, ethics) to stay there. I don't know if you people have seen "Kabhi Khushi, Kabhi Gham" - in one scene, Amitabh tells Shahrukh, "Paise to har koi kama leta hai...izaat kamana har kissi ke bas ki baat nahi."

When anyone becomes famous and popular, we start judging that person by their character because we see successful and famous people as our role models. Amitabh Bachchan would not have earned this respect and adulation if he had left Jaya for Rekha. Shahrukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar - if they were to leave their families, they would be nowhere. So, family bonding and your overall character are important for you to stay there.

History is full of people who become famous, popular, successful, but they fail to stay at the top.

Your comments are awaited.

Regards,
Sanjeev Sharma

Hi Sanjeev,

I believe that family bonding is very important. At the same time, a person's character also includes selfishness. We often encounter individuals who prioritize their own families and loved ones. However, when it comes to helping those who are not closely connected to them, even if they are capable of lending a hand, they may be hesitant to do so.

Another crucial aspect of having good character is refraining from reminding people of the assistance you have provided them with, or expecting them to be indebted to you because you helped them on a previous occasion. While most individuals appreciate the help they receive (although there may be exceptions), it is essential not to constantly bring up past favors.

These are a few of my thoughts that I wanted to share with all of you.

Sirisha Reddy

Srisha and other people who are participating in this discussion,

Reminding somebody of the helping hand that you have extended is bad. At least I don't do that. And I believe that parents should never ever tell their kids about the sacrifices and things that they have done for their kids. It is like asking for "Pay-Back". I don't know if you understand Hindi or not, but they say, "Daan Tabhi hota hai agar apna pet bhara hua ho" (You can give food to other people if you yourself have taken your food and are not feeling hungry).

Regards

Hey Guys,

Difference of opinion exists and wise people understand this fact. So, let's get started on the original topic, which is about CHARACTER and its components. I'm really eager to know what people think of character. I have seen many people giving the title of "LOOSE CHARACTER" to others without clearly understanding the meaning. Is character related to the integrity of a person? Is it right to relate your character with friendship with the opposite sex? Share your views.

Cheers,
Archna

Integrity is a significant aspect, and Character is just a subset. If you go by the actual meaning of Integrity, I don't think most of us have any integrity. Integrity consists of:

1) To be true to yourself and people around you.

2) To keep your words...your commitment.

3) Walk the talk.

4) Respect for yourself and people around you.

5) Be modest and humble.

6) Don't cheat...don't lie.

7) Your principles, values, and ethics.

If you just look at "Character," it consists of your "BEHAVIOR" and the way you carry yourself in public.

Related to Character, there are two terms: "Loose Character" and "Character Assassination." We are social animals and cannot exist in isolation. Just like there are rules for every game, there are rules to live in society. If anyone behaves in a manner not permissible by social norms, that person is called a person with "Loose Character." Few Examples:

1) Kissing your partner in public places.

2) Beating or abusing your partner in public places.

3) Being married and still having relations outside marriage, or not being married but having a relationship with someone who is married.

All the above-mentioned, as per social norms, are termed as traits of loose character. There can be more examples.

"Character Assassination" is a term used when you talk about something regarding somebody in their absence. For example, Ram Jethmalani in the Jessica Lal Case. In short, speaking negatively about a person in their absence, when they cannot defend themselves.

I hope this will help.

Regards,

Sanjeev Sharma

Blog: http://sanjeevhimachali.blogspot.com/

Hey Sanjeev,

That's a good one. Thanks for the explanation. But I would still like to ask you: Is Integrity not a part of Character? Our behavior and Integrity are interrelated, so why not character and integrity? I rejected three candidates in my company on the grounds of their character. They were all very good in their field, but we are a high-value company, so we rejected their candidature. Please share your views, all of you.

Cheers,
Archna

Your character is a part of your integrity, but it is not integrity in totality. It is just a subset. Look at it from this perspective - all issues related to your character do affect your integrity, but not all issues related to integrity are part of your character.

Regards,

Sanjeev Sharma

Hi Sanjeev,

Ok, I got that. How much importance should be given to both? Suppose we have to consider a person for an organization, what percentage of importance should be attributed to integrity and character? Your suggestions are welcome.

Cheers,
Archna

Archna, why do you hire people? For work, right? In that case, in order of priority, your work experience comes first, followed by your education, behavior, and character. Who do you think will be an asset to your company? A person with high character and low productivity or a person with high productivity and average character. I will certainly go for the second option. In an organization, I need work, productivity, and team spirit.

Now, one question from my side...would you hire a person in your organization who is HIV+?

Regards,
Sanjeev Sharma

Dear Sanjeev,

Thank you. Yes, I agree that experience, qualifications, and skill set are of the highest priority, and we also count character as an important factor.

As I told you, I'm a part of a company where importance is given to character and integrity both. In my experience, I have rejected three applicants in the last organization based on issues related to their character.

So, my answer would be that achieving high productivity can be taught, but clearing your character cannot be taught to all.

Now, coming to your question, I'll give a job to an HIV+ candidate for sure, but not without knowing the reasons. I don't believe that being HIV+ is directly related to character.

Cheers!!

Archna