Question of Character Question of Character

Summary: In this episode Mary and I welcome John Ossowski, President of Canada Border Services Agency. Over the last five years John has led the introduction of Leader Character into all facets of the CBSA organization. As he says, “We use it for everything!”. The accessible, practical and universal language of Leader Character makes it perfect for applications such as selection, recruiting, rewards and recognition and performance management. In particular, Leader Character has been central to a cultural transformation occurring within CBSA, including playing a key role in their EDI initiative. John discusses what first captured his imagination about Leader Character, how it is used at CBSA, how it has changed and strengthened his leadership, and the obstacles faced and overcome. When we asked John for his one piece of advice for leaders he said, “Just dive in!”. Likewise, we hope you will dive into this episode and get as much from it as we did. (~43 minutes)

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

In this episode Mary and I welcome our special guest Ted MacDonald, Advisor to the Financial Conduct Authority in London, England and a long-time, unofficial ambassador for Ivey Business School. Ted discusses how Leader Character allows the practitioner to go beyond the letter of financial industry regulation, to the spirit of the regulation’s intent. Ted describes the effect of COVID-19 on culture, conduct, and individual well-being, and how Leader Character can provide a leader with balanced, timely and wise decisions during these unprecedented times. Ted and Mary distinguish between poor ethics and poor judgment, and how Leader Character, by focusing on judgment, can help reduce the risk of misconduct. We discuss how strength of character among the organization’s leadership sets the tone for a safe, supportive environment that will allow the aspired culture to thrive. Ted describes the concept of “tone from within” where individuals strength of character aligns with the organization’s purpose. Mary and Ted emphasize the foundational importance of individual character development in achieving culture change, how most organizations don’t take this seriously enough, and how those that do will achieve long-term, competitive, sustainable advantage. Ted also discusses how he has successfully used leader character within the FCA, and how it has been helpful to him in his personal life.  

- 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

In this episode Mary and I welcome our special guest Greg Millen, ex-NHL goalie, current NHL broadcaster, leadership consultant and college professor. In this episode we discuss the role of Leader Character in all sports, with a focus on professional ice hockey. Greg shares his experiences with character at the NHL level as a player and advisor, while Mary connects the science of Leader Character with the performance edge that professional athletes are looking for. Mary and Greg discuss their experiences working with the Carolina Hurricanes, and how Leader Character was used in draft selection. We also discuss the relevance of character to all types and levels of sport, and how athletes, coaches, administrators and management can use it to not only improve individual and team performance, but also to enhance individual well-being which will resonate and amplify to the benefit of our families, communities and society at large. Finally we make the point that the stories in sports that inspire us the most are those centered on the athlete’s character, and that these stories are equally applicable to our leaders and their organizations and institutions.  

- 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

In this episode Mary and I welcome our special guest Natacha Prudent, Director of Leadership, Performance and Talent Management at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Our focus is Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and we discuss Natasha and Mary’s experiences linking EDI with Leader Character at CBSA to make progress on this critical initiative. We begin by discussing how each dimension of character impacts the EDI Agenda, how EDI tests Character and how Character, thus tested, must rise to the challenge of supporting EDI. Natacha shares her personal experiences with Leader Character, and how it is a central part of her personal leadership development. We discuss emotional tax, recognizing privilege (Bill and Mary provide personal examples), political correctness, unconscious bias, and why color blindness is not enough. Natasha shares how Leader Character is practically linked to EDI initiatives, and how you know when your organization is making progress. If your organization is considering an EDI initiative, or in the midst of an EDI program, then Leader Character is an indispensable ally to making it work.  

Resources: 

- Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence: Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race by Derald Wing Sue (Author) will help the readers address discussing racism in their daily lives. This book explains why “colorblindness” never accomplishes equality and the danger of staying silent in situations of injustice toward Black people. 

- Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi explains exactly how racist ideals were developed and spread in America and just how deeply-rooted they are in our entire society. 

- How to Be An Anti-Racist. Author Ibram X Kendi breaks down what exactly “anti-racism” means and why it’s so important. 

- Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Dr. Joy DeGruy. This book explores the psychological and emotional impact on African Americans after enduring the horrific Middle Passage, over 300 years of slavery, followed by continued discrimination. 

- 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

This episode is absolutely packed with content – so much so that you might find yourself coming back to it from time to time. With our special guest Corey Crossan, Mary and I connect the PABC framework with the Leader Character framework, and how they work together to strengthen character. Do you have a learning block? Have you found yourself struggling to move to the next level of leadership? Do you find that your performance deteriorates under stress? This episode provides you with the keys to understanding these vexing obstacles and overcoming them. We discuss mindfulness, meditation, processing emotions, the need for emotion in decision making, the Fixed versus Growth Mindset, dysfunctional Core Beliefs, and so much more. Corey and Mary provide examples of how to troubleshoot PABC weaknesses, the value of positive emotions, the use of music in character development, how to pursue group character development, and how positive character contagion often arises from the group’s most vulnerable members. Most leadership training focusses on behaviour and cognition. By including all elements of the PABC framework and integrating them with Leader Character, you can develop the habits you need for new personal and professional growth. This is a critical episode for HR professionals, those engaged in designing and delivering Leadership and Development programs, and anyone who is committed to their own professional development and personal well-being.

- Interoceptive Ability Predicts Survival on a London Trading Floor, Kandasamy et al, 2016 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5027524/

- Carol Dweck, TED Speaker, https://www.ted.com/speakers/carol_dweck

- Allen Watkins TED talk on heart rate variability, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q06YIWCR2Js

- Barbara Frederickson, Positive Emotion, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKggZhYwoys

- PABC Schematic: https://www.dropbox.com/s/60mxw7ir6bqrwrg/PABC.png?dl=0

- "Towards a Model of Leader Character Development: Insights from Anatomy and Music Therapy", M. Crossan, C Crossan and C. Ellis, Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies (pending)