I’ve written a couple of blogs about character. I keep going back to the subject because it’s important to me as a parent, educator, and citizen. A person’s character speaks loudly to who they are and what they stand for, and it’s something we should all take notice of.

I want the leaders I work for and the ones that help guide our communities and country to be upstanding, moral citizens. I want my child to be surrounded by loving, generous, and honest people. I want to trust that when my son goes to school the teachers and staff will care about him as an individual and will model appropriate behaviors. I hope if he decides to play sports or be involved in other extra-curricular activities he will learn good sportsmanship and what makes a great leader. As his parent, I can help guide him while he is young to be around those good people and hope when he grows up and matures he will also develop into a fine citizen of our country.

I’ve been thinking about leadership a lot. Partly because I’m considering future options in my career and wondering if I was in a real leadership position, how would I do and what kind of leader would I be. Ultimately, it comes down to my character and what kind of person I am and HOW I show this person to others.

Sometimes it isn’t easy to keep that first-class character up. When confronted by a tough situation, what do you do? Fight or flight…or something in between. I think you have to fight for what you believe in and what you think is right. It’s not always the easy thing to do, I know. When I see a person take a stand and say, “This is what we’re doing, because it’s the right thing to do and here is why,” then that’s a person I want to follow. There is a special energy when you are around someone like that. They make you want to be a better person, fight for what you believe in, and do the best work you can do. They help challenge you to be better and push yourself to do more than you thought you could ever do. And those people get things done at home, at work, and in the community. I hope as I continue to grow in my career, I am that person. I’m working on it EVERYDAY!

When you’re confronted with a difficult situation at work (and everyone has been at one time or another), how do you react? There are many variables that can go into that answer, and no situation is ever really the same. If I’m being honest, my tendency is to say very little, freak out a little as soon as I’m alone, and then resolve it.

One thing I try to remember, and it does help to keep me grounded, is how would I react if my son was in the room. Would I react differently? I want to set the best example I can for him and even though he isn’t with me 24 hours a day, I think of him constantly.

It can be tough at work, when you work with a difficult personality. In fact, it can be downright frustrating. It’s hard to be motivated and sometimes you just want to give up. Keep your head held high, do the best job you can do and feel good about it. Find those great leaders to follow, or, even better, become one of those great leaders. Even if you are not “the boss,” by your actions, work ethic, and character, you can be a leader to someone.

Claire Johnson Claire is a 29-year-old working mom. She has a son, Wesley, who is almost 2, and is in her fifth year of teaching elementary school. Along with teaching, she also works for a local sports team, a part-time job she has enjoyed for 11 years. Her hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, and working on crafty projects. Read More >>