Courage Is Expendable, Expandable, and Fearless
In investigating Courage in America, I set out to understand where the virtue of courage is practiced, how it is taught, and how it is sustained among a younger generation of Americans today. By studying ten wounded warriors, I discovered that their stories offer inspiring lessons for us all.
Meeting the warriors and their families made me both admire their collective courage and have concern that it might be an expendable supply. Some families seem to possess a significant amount, others appear to have little or nothing left. Continue reading
COURAGE IN AMERICA: Lessons For Our Country’s Civilians
My friend, noted author, speaker, and management consultant, Robert Porter Lynch took time away from his many projects to offer another view on courage. Robert’s thoughtful analysis (see below) has caused me to mediate much deeper on the virtue of courage. Having studied the character of ten exemplary characters in Politics with Principle and listened to several mentors, especially, Robert on “trust” and Paul Stoltz on “adversity,” I am now ready to offer my own analysis of courage, the first among the cardinal virtues. Continue reading
Key Ingredients to Good Character: Virtue, Trust, Resilience, Leadership
A goal of the Character Building Project CBP is to serve the character-building community by shining a light on its prominent thought leaders. Toward that end, in the last few months, we have identified dozens of character experts. Several have dedicated much of their entire professional life to enhancing character development through their research, writing and teaching. Four have found success by researching specific elements of good character such as handling adversity, exhibiting leadership, cultivating virtue, and building trust. These four authors provide us with valuable resources…
STORIES OF SUCCESSFUL LEADERS WHO SERVE OTHERS
The Mission of the Character Building Project is to foster character building in a rising generation of public service aspirants by sharing the stories of successful and ethical leaders who presently serve others in government, public and private sector careers. Our vision is to expand the conversation about the importance individuals of good character can make to the lives of our fellow Americans. Continue reading
IMPROVING CHARACTER IN AMERICA
In profiling several prominent players such as, Robert Porter Lynch, Paul Stoltz, Steve Markel, Bob Hall, et al, I have been asked what’s up with the “character community.”
Part of the mission of The Character Building Project (CBP) is to provide support for and exposure to those working to improve character in America. After publishing Ten Characters with Character I was pleased to learn so many professionals have long labored in these virtue vineyards. By profiling several of the more prominent players my aim is to aggregate a critical mass of players and introduce them to the public at large. Continue reading
ROBERT PORTER LYNCH … CHARACTER BUILDING CHAMPION
Today’s post is to introduce readers of The Character Building Project to a very special member of the “character community,” a personal mentor of mine, namely, Robert Porter Lynch. Before describing Robert’s life’s work, permit me to relate an exchange I recently had that reveals Robert to be a extraordinary man of character. Continue reading
E PLURIBUS UNUM, INDEED
Initially in my quest to improve character among the players on America’s political stage, I was scorned when I shared my belief that it is possible, no necessary, to achieve success in the political arena without lying, cheating or stealing along the way. It seemed as if I were quite alone in believing that own future depends on better educating good character traits in our young. Typically, I was laughed at and greeted with the cynical attitude that all politicians will always be crooks because public officials are mainly in office in order to serve themselves. Continue reading
The Trust Deficit – Washington did you hear the Message?
In the aftermath of the November election, it’s quite easy for Republicans to bask in victory’s sweet sun. Alas, be not content, for thy fortunes are illusory. Our newly elected are on a tight probationary leash.
Americans are not nearly as gullible as the pollsters think. We did not vote for the Republican agenda, we voted to register a powerful sign of protest against the conduct and egregious lack of character of our politicians. As a nation, we are revolted by the abuses they have heaped upon us. As Charles Krauthammer said so well: Continue reading