CHARACTER—IT SHOWS TO OTHERS!
Those who follow professional golf will recognize the name Jordan Spieth. If you’re not a golf fan, stick with me anyway. We’re using Spieth as an example of a person with fine character, and his story is interesting.
Spieth, formerly number one in the World Golf rankings, is a twenty-four year old American golfer on the PGA Tour. He carries a reputation for demonstrating strong character as well as championship play. In 2016, Time magazine named Spieth to its list of the "100 Most Influential People," saying that he "exemplifies everything that's great about sports."
The widespread acclaim of Spieth’s strength of character began with a loss. On April 10, 2016, it appeared that Spieth, then twenty-two years old, would be only the fourth player since the US Masters Golf Tournament began in 1934 to win two years in a row. However, on the last nine holes, his game went sour, and he finished in a tie for second. While the media was fawning over the winner, Danny Willett, Spieth was extraordinarily gracious to him, congratulating Willett on both the win and the birth of his first baby, something, said Spieth, "more important than golf."
The next day, an article in The New York Times said, "It takes grace to see the big picture so soon after having to sit through a ceremony and watch someone else have his photograph taken. Spieth's ball-striking was off all week, but his character emerged unscathed."
Character is defined in my Webster’s Dictionary as "the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation; the moral nature of an individual." Positive character is an invaluable trait, impossible to fake and obvious to those observing a person's grace, particularly grace under fire.
How is your character? In everyday life or in a crisis, a devastating personal loss, or a community disaster, does your character mark you as one with a strong moral, ethical, and generous nature? How about your practice? Has your practice earned respect and a reputation for top quality, generosity, honesty, and significant contributions to your community? Strength of character can be a commitment, a passion. Think about it—then make any changes personally or within your practice to make it so and make it show so that you can be marked by a reputation for strong character, personally and professionally.
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