E105 - Character Leadership featuring Simon Kardynal

For Episode 105, we’re exploring the essential concept of Character Leadership. 

Character forms the bedrock of truly meaningful leadership. Beyond skill or charisma lies something more fundamental—the integrity, authenticity, and ethical principles that define who we are as leaders. This fundamental truth drives organizational culture, team performance, and long-term success.

Trust serves as the invisible currency exchanged between leaders and their teams. Yet character leadership extends beyond mere honesty—it demands authenticity. Leaders who present their genuine selves, acknowledging both strengths and vulnerabilities, create psychological safety that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work.

Are you ready to strengthen your character leadership? 

Leadership without passion limits the depth of your vision—but leadership without character limits everything else.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Character Leadership
• 4:46 Three Core Aspects of Character Leadership
• 8:01 Why Character Matters in Leadership
• 12:01 Building Resilience During Crisis
• 14:35 Character Leadership for Long-Term Success
• 16:28 Real-World Examples of Character Leaders
• 19:05 Developing Your Character Leadership Skills
• 21:42 Episode Conclusion and Call to Action

Transcript

Simon Kardynal: 0:07

I would like to begin this episode by acknowledging that I am located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and I am privileged and honoured to live and learn on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.

Glen: 0:24

Hello, you're listening to Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front, produced by iGlenn studios, a show for emerging leaders from all professions to hear from other leaders who have led from the front, made the mistakes, had the triumphs and are still learning along the way. And now here's your host, Simon Kardynal.

Simon Kardynal: 0:52

Hi everyone and welcome to another episode of Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front. In this episode, we're going to talk about how leading with integrity and authenticity profoundly impacts teams and organizations, building a community based on mutual trust. Join us as we delve into why character matters in leadership, sharing real-world examples and provide actionable steps to develop your character leadership skills. So I guess we should start by asking the question what exactly is character leadership? To begin, we need to know what it is and basically, at its root, character leadership is leading with integrity, authenticity and ethical principles. I mean, it's not common sense stuff to not know these things. Most people, they want to have these things. They act in a way with good ethical values. Because the fact of the matter is, it's not just about being in charge as we get going. I guess the way we should start this is ask the question what exactly is character leadership? Character leadership is defined as leading with integrity, authenticity and ethical principles. I would argue that that's common sense, that that's how we should be acting, not as leaders, but as people, just be good, and it's not that difficult. And it's certainly not about having character when we're in charge. It's about embodying all of these values that inspire trust and respect, and when we're in charge, it's about doing that amongst our team. It's about doing the right thing. When it's not the popular thing, it's about being the example that you want your followers to emulate.

Simon Kardynal: 2:32

Let's just take a second and we're going to break down the three most important aspects of character leadership, and the first point is integrity. This is the cornerstone of effective leadership. I mean, really, how can we expect our team members to respect us and our authority if we don't behave in a way that is in line with what we're asking of our teams? The short answer is that we can't. Famed leadership duo Kouzes and Posner stated that integrity is essential for trust, which is vital in any leadership role.

Simon Kardynal: 3:04

The second point is authenticity. Being authentic, truly authentic, is honestly, in my opinion, one of the most valuable ways to build trust in your team, folks. We've said it before people can smell bullshit a mile away and the leader is trying to be someone that they're not. You will ruin any chance you have of building a further community and, at the core, trust with your team members. If your team members see that you're being true to yourself, even if it's not popular, they will most often open up much more quickly, because they can see that you are not putting any type of pretense, that you're being who you are, because people are people are people. Authentic leaders are also true to themselves, because if we aren't honest with ourselves, how can we really be honest with our team members?

Simon Kardynal: 3:53

The third point is the impact on culture. Character-driven leadership fosters a positive culture, encouraging fairness and respect, which, of course, are vital for operational effectiveness in challenging environments. You can tell I'm in the military because I love the word operational effectiveness, but it's true. As leaders, especially as an emerging leader we're in the operational side of effective things. We are effecting the operational aspects of all things that are happening, and we need to do it because that's what we do. We're the leaders.

Simon Kardynal: 4:25

Character leadership is essential for fostering a positive organizational culture. It emphasizes the moral and ethical foundations of leadership, influencing how leaders interact with their teams and how individuals will behave with themselves inside the organizations. So we've talked about what we think character leadership is, but why does it matter? Why does character leadership matter in the trenches? Why should you care about being a leader with a strong character? It's simple Leaders who have good character are more likely to build teams based on a strong foundation of trust, empathy, dedication and faith. That's just the way it is. If he can't prove that we have a strong character, why would anyone follow us, and especially if we're telling them to have good, strong character? Okay, so we've just talked about what character leadership is, but as a leader, why does character leadership matter? Why does it matter in the trenches? Why should you care about being a leader with a strong character? The answer is simple. Leaders who have good character are more likely to build teams based on a strong foundation of trust, empathy, dedication and faith. So maybe we're going to discuss some of these items and we'll see how it falls into understanding why it's important to have good character as a leader.

Simon Kardynal: 5:45

The first thing I'd like to talk about is building trust. Character leadership is based on inherent traits such as integrity, humility and empathy, the foundational aspects of all trust. Leaders who consistently demonstrate these qualities are seen as reliable and honest, which creates a strong foundation for trust within their teams. According to Stephen Covey, in the Speed of Trust, trust is the glue of life, meaning that strong relationships are built on this critical element. The fact is, trust is paramount, especially in high-stakes situations. Trustworthy leaders inspire loyalty, motivating teams to perform at their best.

Simon Kardynal: 6:29

And if you're listening to this podcast, the odds are you want to be a strong leader. You want to be a leader with a strong, good moral compass and a strong, powerful character to drive forward, to be successful for yourself and, most importantly, for your team. And that's okay. That's what leading is. But what happens when we're the leader and we have a crisis? Let's talk about resilience during a crisis.

Simon Kardynal: 6:49

Character leadership acts as a stabilizing force during challenging times because the team members know their leader will act in a manner that is calm, fair and reasonable to the challenge. When organizations face challenges, leaders with strong character traits can effectively guide their teams and maintain stability. Character leadership contributes to the resiliency in times of crisis by demonstrating stability and composure. Character-driven leaders exhibit calmness and composure under pressure, and their ability to remain level-headed during a crisis reassures team members and instills confidence. And if you think about that, how many times have you had a leader who was in charge of a team and they're running around like their hair is on fire? Are you inspired to follow that person? Probably not so much. Will you do what they tell you to do, even though, because they're the leader? Very likely, but are you inspired? Do you trust them to really dig down when it matters? Probably not Just give it some thought.

Simon Kardynal: 7:52

And also, character leaders communicate transparently. Communicating effectively is vital during a crisis, and character leaders prioritize transparency. They provide regular updates, share information honestly and address concerns openly. This transparency builds trust and reduces uncertainty among team members, fostering resilience, as everyone feels informed and involved in the situation. For me personally, this is where I struggle, because I'll be busy doing whatever the task is that I'm doing and in my mind, I know what people are thinking, but how can they know what I'm thinking, how can they know what the information is, if I'm in charge of that information and I haven't passed it on? I struggle with it to this day and I also think, okay, well, I don't have the 100% solution, so why would I waste everyone's time with yet another email? The thing is, information is power and I've learned, slowly and through error, that more information, getting it out there is important, and if I take the time to actually get to know my team members, I'll know which. Which members want that information and which members can wait until I have that hundred percent solution. Again, it's about listening. It's about paying attention, being heard and making sure that your message is heard as well.

Simon Kardynal: 9:07

Character leaders inspire confidence and unity, and they do this not only through their words, but also through their actions. By demonstrating commitment and a clear vision, they bring their teams together and create a sense of shared purpose. And before we move on, let me ask you the question how often have you been trying to convey a message or direction and everyone kind of looks at you with a confused look? I know for myself that has happened and in the beginning I used to think, okay, well, it's just a thing. I've learned that I know how I need to adjust to be able to make sure that information is getting across clearly and in a manner that makes sense, and if it doesn't, it's about recognizing that I may not have been clear, asking the questions to find out exactly what was wrong and then moving forward, adjusting and going ahead. And that's okay. That's part of being the leader and also character.

Simon Kardynal: 10:01

Leaders automatically support team well-being during a crisis. Leaders with strong character also pay attention to the emotional and psychological well-being during a crisis. Leaders with strong character also pay attention to the emotional and psychological well-being of their team members. They demonstrate empathy and provide support, recognizing that individuals may face personal struggles in addition to professional challenges. By creating a culture of care, character leaders foster resilience and promote a sense of belonging, and if you're actually creating a team where that sense of authentic support is there, you'll notice right away when someone is off and you'll also learn when to ask and when to step back and give that person a time. It's about getting to know people, and this one for me. This next point is one that really strikes home, and it's because we all do this. We all need to do this. Character leaders learn from their experiences. Character-driven leaders view crises as opportunities for learning and growth. They encourage reflection and constructive feedback, helping their teams to analyze what went wrong and what can be improved for the future. Th is commitment to continuous improvement cultivates a resilient mindset empowering individuals to face future challenges with greater confidence.

Glen: 11:23

Oh, hello there, it's Glen, the voice-over artist, and voice-over, and if you're hearing me this, that means we're at the mid-point of this episode that you feel is vital for emerging leaders. Leave the idea in the comment section and, if your topic is chosen, you will have the opportunity to join us as a co-host during the recording session. So drop us a note and let's talk. This podcast is made possible by listeners like you, and if you feel we've earned it, please tell your friends and leave a review to help us grow our following. And now back to the show.

Simon Kardynal: 11:55

Character leadership also matters because it greatly enhances the long-term success of the team by building a cohesive team. Let's take a moment to discuss this. The biggest thing that I it strikes me, is when we have a team that is full of strong characters and we all want to have the right goals to get going towards and have that proper moral compass to drive us, that often will lead to long-term success. Organizations that are led by character focused leaders often experience sustainable success. When leaders prioritize ethics, scandals are avoided, fostering a long-term positive image. And, as everyone may remember, I'm in the military and then in the Canadian military and we recently went through a string of scandals and we're working our way through it and part of the problem was that our character at the top levels of the leadership may not have been where we needed it to be, Not everyone. I'm not trying to like a blanket policy, but there was definitely gaps in where we needed to be. We're working very hard to correct these challenges and learn and grow and evolve, but that will take time. But the great thing is, the leadership in the Canadian Armed Forces is committed to fostering and building an authentic leadership path where everyone is the true embodiment of what we expect leaders to be in the Canadian military full of empathy and humility and leadership skills.

Simon Kardynal: 13:23

leadership is proven to be integral. By achieving long-term success within organizations. By fostering a positive culture, building trust, enhancing employee engagement, supporting ethical decision-making, encouraging innovation, committing to continuous improvement and demonstrating resilience, character-driven leaders lay a solid foundation for sustainable organizational success. In fact, investing in character leadership not only benefits individuals, but it also cultivates a thriving environment where both the employees and the organizations can flourish together over time. The other thing is that character leadership builds cohesive teams. Teams led by leaders with strong character exhibit better collaboration and teamwork. Research shows that team dynamics improve when a leader promotes fairness and accountability. By establishing ethical frameworks, building high-performance teams, facilitating adaptability, creating strong organizational cultures, enhancing resilience, fostering loyalty and promoting stakeholder relationships, character-driven leaders create a sustainable environment where organizations can thrive in the long run. The investment in character leadership is not just beneficial, it's essential for enduring success. So we've talked about what character leadership is. We've talked about why character leadership matters.

Simon Kardynal: 14:45

Let's take a moment and discuss some real-world examples. Because character leaders strive to succeed, not because they need to for themselves Well, mostly not for themselves. Rather, they strive to help the team succeed. I'd like to offer an example of a few different leaders that are known for their character-driven leadership styles. The first one I'd like to talk about is Oprah Winfrey. With her emphasis on empathy and transparency, Oprah has influenced millions, if not billions, of people, showcasing that leading with compassion builds trust and loyalty among followers.

Simon Kardynal: 15:21

Up next, I'd like to talk about General Colin Powell. This was a military leader who believed in leading by example. General Powell's character and integrity were evident in everything he did, in how he motivated his team, especially during challenging missions. The next person I'd like to speak about is Angela Merkel. The formal Chancellor of Germany exhibited strong characteristics, and during the European debt crisis and the refugee crisis, she portrayed calmness and determination, earning widespread respect. And the last person I'd like to speak about is Simon Sinek, and, other than having a great first name, he is a prominent advocate for character-driven leadership. Simon's concept of the start with why emphasizes purpose, which is really rooted in strong character and values.

Simon Kardynal: 16:08

So, with these members in mind, I'd like to talk about how you can develop your character leadership skills. Let's discuss the value and importance of character leadership. The question then becomes how might you develop your skills? I'd like to offer some suggestions, if I may, and let's start by offering that you start by performing a self-assessment Character.

Simon Kardynal: 16:29

Leadership and self-assessment are intrinsically linked in the journey toward effective leadership. Through self-awareness, understanding personal values, seeking feedback and fostering personal development, character-driven leaders can enhance their effectiveness and positively impact their teams. Regular self-assessments not only promote accountability and emotional resilience, but also align leaders with their organizational vision, ensuring sustainable success. Goleman often talked about how regularly reflecting on your values helps you align with your leadership style, which, in turn, helps identify the strengths and areas for improvement. And let's face facts none of us are perfect and we all have things we could learn about. So how are we going to do that? That's what these self-assessments will do. As a reminder, folks, there is a segment inside the Trench Leadership Podcast catalog where we discussed six different self-leadership or self-development areas, and I recommend going in and having a listen.

Simon Kardynal: 17:29

And the next point is to seek feedback. By actively soliciting feedback, leaders can foster an environment of trust and continuous improvement within their teams, Encouraging constructive criticism from your team. Utilizing tools like 360-degree feedback can provide valuable insights. Folks, the thing is, you might not like what you hear, but take it in. It's okay if you don't like it. It's about what you do with it. How do we learn? How do we grow?

Simon Kardynal: 17:57

The next point is to be authentic in all the ways. Authenticity in action is a cornerstone of character leadership. It establishes trust, models integrity, encourages open communication, embraces vulnerability, inspires others, creates a shared vision, promotes ethical behavior and supports diversity. When leaders embody authenticity, they cultivate a thriving organizational culture that empowers individuals and drives long-term success. This alignment between personal values and leadership practices ultimately creates an engaged and resilient workforce. Be open about your values and be open about your decision-making processes. Transparency fosters this trust and encourages a safe space for open dialogue. And the other thing is be the mentor and coach you want to have. By modeling positive behaviors, building trust, encouraging self-discovery, providing constructive feedback, supporting individual goals, nurturing emotional intelligence, promoting resilience and creating a culture of continuous learning, character-driven leaders contribute significantly to the development and success of their teams. Ultimately, effective mentoring and coaching not only empower individuals, but also strengthen the organization.

Simon Kardynal: 19:17

If you don't know where to go, engage with mentors who exemplify character leadership. Learning from their experiences can help shape your approach and decisions. The other thing is to never stop learning. Character leaders exemplify a commitment to lifelong learning by actively seeking new knowledge and skills. When leaders prioritize their own growth, they set an example for their teams, encouraging a mindset where learning is valued and pursued. This modeling inspires team members to adopt similar attitudes towards their development, and in the Royal Canadian Air Force we have a very strong, robust airworthiness flight safety program that focuses on the lessons learned of how to avoid an accident from happening again. And I've said it often in the past this is not negligence. Negligence is different. People still need to be held accountable, but we can't learn from our accidents if we don't have an open and transparent way to know how we're going to fix them and not let them happen again, how we're going to fix them and not let them happen again, how we're going to learn. It's vital, and it's the leader's responsibility to make sure that happens. So how can you never stop learning?

Simon Kardynal: 20:22

I recommend engaging in professional development that emphasizes character and ethical leadership. There are plenty of workshops and courses and all kinds of literature that can expand your understanding of character leadership. Maybe there's a podcast on trench leadership, a podcast from the front that you can listen to hear about character leadership and, through modeling, lifelong learning. Promoting a growth mindset, encouraging reflection and feedback. Supporting professional development, facilitating knowledge sharing, emphasizing resilience, aligning learning with organizational goals and celebrating achievements. We can all learn together. Character-driven leaders will then create an environment where continuous growth is embedded in the very fabric of your organization. Well, that's a wrap from the front. In this episode, we highlighted several key points the importance of trust building, fostering open communication, supporting continuous learning and embracing feedback. As character leaders, we model behaviors that inspire growth, collaboration and a shared vision among our teams, and so, as you reflect on this episode, I offer to consider asking yourself this question how might you incorporate character-driven practices in your leadership style?

Simon Kardynal: 21:37

Thanks for tuning in and remember leadership without passion limits the depth of your vision.

Glen: 21:46

Never miss an episode by following us on all of your favourite feeds. While you're there, please consider leaving an episode review and let us know what topics you would like to hear about. Be sure to join us next week with your host, Simon Kardynal, for another episode of Trench Leadership: A Podcast From the Front produced by iGlenn Studios. Music provided by Ashamaluev of Music.