Character Over Charisma: Unlocking Your True Potential

Scriptures: Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 16:8

In the world of leadership, charisma often captivates our attention. 

We’re drawn to the magnetic personalities, the influential speakers, and the captivating individuals who seem to effortlessly inspire and lead. However, as we strive to navigate the realm of business, let us not forget the profound importance of character. 

Scripture reminds us that God cares more about our character than our success. In 1 Samuel 16:7, it is written, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Our outward charisma may capture attention, but it is our inner character that truly reflects who we are. 

As business leaders, we must recognize that our character is foundational to our leadership. No amount of education, experience, or charm can compensate for a lack of character strength. Proverbs 10:9 reminds us, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

A lack of character will ultimately hinder us from reaching our full potential in Christ. 

The charisma of popular leaders may be enticing, but we must remember that it doesn’t stem solely from positional power. Charismatic leadership is born out of the perceptions followers hold of the leader. It’s the ability to inspire and foster dedication within others, going beyond what is expected. However, true charisma is not sustained by charm alone. It must be rooted in a foundation of character. When we prioritize character alongside charisma, we align ourselves with God’s desires for our leadership. Proverbs 16:8 reminds us, “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” Our success should never come at the expense of our integrity. God values leaders who exhibit honesty, humility, and righteousness. 

Let us remember that, while charisma may attract attention and inspire momentarily, it is character that sustains and transforms. As leaders, we must strive for integrity, ensuring that our actions align with our beliefs. May we seek God’s guidance to cultivate a character that reflects His love, wisdom, and righteousness, for it is through character that we truly fulfill our leadership potential. 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for reminding us of the importance of character in leadership. Help us to prioritize integrity, honesty, and righteousness above all else. Guide us in our business endeavors, that we may lead with hearts aligned with your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures: Proverbs 22:1, Matthew 16:26, Luke 6:47-49

Remember leaders, charisma matters, but character counts. Charisma is easy. Character, however, must be cultivated. 

When you cultivate character, you will build a stronger family, and you will go further in the long run in business. 

Cultivating character focuses on the foundation. You grow higher than others when you build a deep foundation. 

As a business leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success. But, as Christians, we know that God values our character above all else. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Charisma may help you gain attention, but character is what sets you apart. It’s easy to become enamored with the idea of success, but we must remember that God’s definition of success is different from the world’s. In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asks, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Character is the foundation of great leadership, and will sustain us through the ups and downs of business. Charisma may make us stand out briefly, but character sets us apart for a lifetime. 

Don’t let the pursuit of success blind you to the importance of character. Prioritize character over everything else. A lack of character will keep you from reaching your full potential in Christ. As Proverbs 28:6 states, “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”

The cultivation of our character is like that of a builder who designs a skyscraper; the foundation is crucial. Your character is the foundation upon which you develop the rest of your life, both professionally as well as personally. 

Luke 6:47-49 states, “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like; he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Character must come first.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:2

Charisma is what gets your foot in the door. A surface-level charisma will draw people towards you. Character, however, will keep those people near. The cover of a book compels a reader to pick it up, but the pages cannot be blank. As a business leader, I have hired individuals solely on the charisma that they displayed during their interviews. Charisma can be blinding at times, but character can and will shine through once this ether has worn off. 

When we think of the word “character,” many different things come to mind. Reputation, morality, and legacy are all often determined based on the character of an individual. Character and integrity are almost synonymous, and cutting corners on the cultivation of your character cannot be patched up with charisma. 

When I was a young salesperson, early in my career, I didn’t fully grasp this. I was told by a mentor once that God didn’t look at my talent or charisma. People did. People noticed these things and were impressed. God, however, looked past my talent and charisma to look at my heart. The Lord sees our heart. He is much more concerned with who we are, not what we can or cannot accomplish. 

Matthew 6:1-2 says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. ”

This verse holds a powerful weight that many of us do not fully comprehend. Here, we are instructed to do the good deed not because we want others to be impressed with us. This is our ego and wants for acknowledgment talking. Instead, shirk the want for charisma, and do good because it is good, and only because of this. 

A person with character does what they know that they should. They seek to help others for no benefit of their own. A person who relies only on charisma, however, will do what is good if they feel that those around them will be further drawn to them upon seeing the good deed.

You see, intention is important. 

God sees not only what we do, but the reasons for our actions.

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Samuel 16:12

I believe that the sooner in life that one can understand the different roles that character and charisma play within their personal and professional lives, the sooner that they will be able to reach the potential that they have for happiness, peace, and success. Often, this is a lesson that is only learned later on in life. However, the Bible makes a point to display the importance of one’s character many times over. 

There are moments within the Bible in which even the wisest of individuals, by nature, chose charisma over character. 

One of the most prominent incidents would be in 1 Samuel 16 when God instructs Samuel to go to Jesse, as one of his sons will be the next king of Israel. As Samuel meets the oldest son, Eliab, he makes the assumption that Eliab is to be the new king. God, however, says this in 1 Samuel 16:7: 

“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Confused, Samuel moves on to the other sons. Eight sons were rejected. Now remember, these sons would go on to become soldiers. These young men were impressive, and any of them could have been mistaken as the clear choice for the new king of Israel. Jesse and Samuel both were certain that one of them would be chosen by God. They were so certain, in fact, that when Samuel asks if these are all of Jesse’s sons, Jesse mentions that his youngest son, David, was not called. David was tending to the sheep. This indicates that Jesse did not even consider David, as he did not bother to call David inside. 

In 1 Samuel 16:12, David is anointed. David, who would go on to defeat Goliath, and later be known as King David, was chosen not because of his charisma, but because of his character. If God held charisma in the same stature as people do, then surely one of his brothers would have been chosen. 

God, however, saw David’s character and knew that he would go on to accomplish great things for the people of Israel. 

The instruction from God to look beyond charisma and focus on character changed history forever.

Scriptures: Exodus 4:10, Exodus 4:11-12

Yesterday, we discussed a key instance within scripture where charisma was mistakenly chosen over character, only to be overruled by the Lord.

On the contrary, there are several moments in which God overlooks a lack of charisma, in favor of the character of an individual.

One of the most clear instances of this is found within the book of Exodus, between God and a man named Moses.

Moses, who was instructed by God to free the Israelites and lead them out of Egypt. As God began to explain the plans to Moses, and provide him with instructions on how to accomplish this task, Moses spoke up, saying in Exodus 4:10:

“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue”

You see, Moses stuttered when he spoke. This was something that Moses believed would make him unqualified for the task at hand. He was shy and unsure of himself. Moses thought that God must have been mistaken by choosing him to free the Israelites. Surely someone who had eloquence and charisma would be a better fit for the job.

Yet, God was firm in His decision. He replied in Exodus 4:11-12,

“Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

God was certain that Moses was the one who would free the Israelites.

Why?

Because while Moses was focused on his perceived lack of charisma, God was focused on his character.

God knew above all else, that there was no better person for the job. Moses would go on to lead the Israelites away from slavery, out of Egypt, and towards The Promised Land not because of his charisma, but because of the character that he had cultivated. Moses felt compassion for the Israelites, and against his own judgment, he set forth to confront the pharaoh.

And it was this very character that made all the difference.