Question of Character

Question of Character
Question of Character

Strength of character has been demonstrated to improve judgment, decision-making and outcomes. The Ivey Leader Character Framework has been developed to specifically help leaders strengthen their character which in turn will elevate and sustain their performance while leading to improved personal well-being.

  1. 3 JUL

    Episode 14 | Why and how do we embed Leader Character into our organization's culture?

    In this episode Mary and I welcome Jennifer Bitz, a senior Federal public servant. Jenn has initiated and overseen cultural transformations within several Federal Public Service agencies and is the ideal guest to share her knowledge, wisdom and experience with us. Jenn defines culture and why it is so important (3:35), why psychological safety is the best predictor of organizational performance (5:50), and the links between employee happiness and creativity / energy / productivity (6:40). Mary then directly links character to psychological safety and happiness (8:10). Jenn then answers why cultural transformation is so challenging and why cultural transformation needs to be understood as an “infinite game”(10:45). Mary identifies the tendency to change processes, not people, as a key reason why culture change programs often stall and / or fail (14;25). Jenn then explains the central role of Leader Character in defining, shaping and sustaining organizational culture, and Mary’s quote “An organization should do no harm to its employees.” (16:30). Jenn identifies the unique contributions of Leader Character in achieving an aspirational culture (20:40). Jenn describes the 3-step process of cultural transformation, and Leader Character’s essential role in this process (22:40) which Mary links to Strategy and how 95% of an aspirational culture is the same - a character-based culture (27:30). Jenn and Mary then discuss the obstacles that get in the way of perceiving and inserting character into a central role in culture, and how including character in this process is a “game changer” (29:40). Lastly Jenn provides her advice as to what you, if faced with cultural change issues, need to do next (35:10). Our conversation with Jenn is an extremely insightful and practical guide that emphasizes the critical role of character in navigating and delivering culture change from a deeply experienced practitioner in this challenging yet critical field. SOURCES / CITATIONS: Edmondson, Amy C., The fearless organization: creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation and growth. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2019 Achor, Shawn, The Happiness Advantage. Penguin Random House. 2018. www.shawnachor.com

    43 min
  2. 26 JUN

    Episode 13 | Does Research support that Character matters?

    In this episode Mary and I welcome Dr. Lucas Monzani, Asst. Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Ivey Business School. Lucas’s research includes a focus on Key People Indicators (KPIs), and quantifying the impact that Leader Character has on these KPIs. Lucas shares the accumulating evidence which is establishing a broad-based, strong, and positive correlation between presence of Leader Character and KPIs (e.g. psychological safety, promotability), which has the potential to radically transform organizations. In our conversation we note that Leader Character is a fundamental, root-cause approach to improving these KPIs from within people (“trickle up” effect). Lucas also discusses his current and future research which is using novel techniques and methods to measure the link between Leader Character and physiological responses, and the early results are very promising. Lucas discusses some extremely valuable insights arising from his research that demonstrates consistent cross-cultural effects and the phenomenon of “character contagion”. Lucas discusses using virtual reality techniques to deliver consistent, cost-effective and humane training methods to develop leader character (including reducing unconscious bias and improving performance management). Finally, Lucas reminds us that Leader Character is at its essence a “Human Project”, and that the human is at the front and center of our research. It is not pursued for the primary purpose of improving profitability or EPS, but to support and extend Human Flourishing to support judgment and well-being and get at the complex challenges facing us in the 21st century. SOURCES / CITATIONS: Ellis, C., Monzani, L., & Bruschetto, S. (2024). Character development and Mindfulness: A sustainable competitive advantage for leaders and employees. Amplify, 37(1), 8–16. https://www.cutter.com/article/character-development-mindfulness-sustainable-competitive-advantage-leaders-employees Monzani, L., Escartín, J., Ceja, L., & Bakker, A. B. (2021). Blending mindfulness practices and character strengths increases employee well‐being: A second‐order meta‐analysis and a follow‐up field experiment. Human Resource Management Journal, 31(4), 1025–1062.https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12360  Monzani, L., Seijts, G. H., & Crossan, M. (2021). Character matters: The network structure of leader character and its relation to follower positive outcomes. PLOS ONE, 16(9), e0255940.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255940

    49 min
  3. 14/11/2021

    Episode 11 | How can Leader Character and CBT together foster well being? | With Dr. Marsha Rothstein

    In this episode Mary and I welcome Dr. Marsha Rothstein. Our conversation was inspired by an inquiry which had asked if Leader Character had anything to offer a stressed-out student population weary from dealing with a pandemic, job-hunting, social distancing and endless screen time. We thought Marsha had something to offer given her 30 years of clinical psychology in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helping her patients address and overcome emotional difficulties. Our conversation turned out to be extremely timely, helpful and practical. Marsha’s and Mary’s conversation has a timeless quality to it and is helpful to all. The bottom line? Leader Character and CBT, working together, can have a huge impact on how you respond to the pressures of everyday life which, as we all know, have been ratcheted up tremendously by the pandemic. You can use the concepts and practices of CBT and Leader Character, established through science and practical application, to take greater control of your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, stimuli and responses. This in turn will lead to better alternatives, judgments, outcomes and well-being for yourself and others. You are not alone and working together will lead to better outcomes and well-being for all. - 3C’s of Leadership: https://www.leadforward.ca/blog/2016/10/31/developing-leadership-character-pt-1    - Leadership Character Framework:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/research-resources/leader-character-framework/    - Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/    - Virtuosity App:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3l6l46u8bsxkn9/Video%20-%20Introduction%20to%20Virtuosity%20Character%20App%20-%202020-07.mp4?dl=0

    1 h y 16 min

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Strength of character has been demonstrated to improve judgment, decision-making and outcomes. The Ivey Leader Character Framework has been developed to specifically help leaders strengthen their character which in turn will elevate and sustain their performance while leading to improved personal well-being.

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