June 2004 Newsletter
Keep Your Joy
I passed a sand lot yesterday,
Some kids were playing ball
I strolled along the third base line
Within the fielder's call.
"Say, what's the score?" I asked.
He yelled without a hint of huffing,
"There's no one out, the bases full,
They're winning forty-two to nothing!"
"You're getting beat, aren't you my friend?"
And then in no time flat
He answered, "No, sir, not as yet!
Our side hasn't been up to bat!"
Perhaps those play the best who still play when the other
team is winning "forty-two to nothing." At some point optimists
get discouraged and winners lose hope, but those committed to
personal excellence have the perspective to see past the immediate
results to the process of improvement.
The Inside Story
We have all been around people who were inspirational and others who weren't. A positive
attitude has the power to overcome difficult circumstances and turn them into something
beneficial. Conversely, a negative attitude can take a good situation and turn it into a disaster.
People who allow their emotions to determine their attitudes will find themselves living
very unstable lives. Like a computer with an unstable operating system, they experience
"system crashes" and "lock-ups."
The best way to develop a stable outlook and a consistently good attitude is to develop habits of good character. Consider how the internal qualities of compassion, contentment, deference, discretion, endurance, enthusiasm, faith, flexiblity, forgiveness, generosity, gentleness, gratefulness, honor, humility and joyfulness can influence your attitude in a positive way.
Does your attitude draw people and the opportunities they bring, or is your attitude preventing you from reaching your full potential?
By Larry Rhoads, Executive Director of the Character Training Institute
Now Hiring: Person of Character
Considering the United States Chamber of Commerce report that employee theft contributes to thirty percent of business failures, many companies could probably benefit from hiring for character. However, establishing job descriptions, checking references, and preparing good questions can only put the interviewer in a position to make a good decision.
An Interviewer must accurately observe the character demonstrated in an individual's life.
For example, an interviewee may:
The attitudes reflected in a person's actions mean far more than what a person actually does. Thus, an interviewer must ask probing, job-related questions and listen carefully to the response. The interviewer must consider a person's natural tendency to present himself or herself in the best light. When an interviewee makes a statement, the interviewer must consider whether the interviewee has a basis to make that statement.
In short, an interviewer must get an answer to each prepared question and then ask questions about the answer to explore all the implications. Most questions should be nonconfrontational and open-ended so that the interviewee's answers can provide additional information and broaden the scope of inquiry. On occasion, the interviewer may confirm an idea by repeating what the interviewee has said and asking for clarification.
The interviewer's ability to uncover additional details and recognize good character will determine the accuracy of the interviewer's conclusions.
Communities of Character
People around the world are finding they can improve their communities by combining the efforts of community groups, individuals, and local government to encourage personal character development.
The International Association of Character Cities seeks to support these character initiatives through the International Building Cities of Character Conference. The 2004 Conference at the Character Training Institute, September 22-24, will provide tools and knowledge for equipping individuals to successfully develop character in their lives and encourage character in their communities.
A mayor from Washington state has described the event as "An incredible conference on the basic issues facing our society and our cities. Here are ideas and answers that work, proven by experience and shared by mayors that are doing it." The mayor from Independence, Minnesota adds, "This conference exceeded my greatest expectations. I was not prepared for such an abundance of information and the feeling of excitement and conviction by the presenters. I'm anxious to share what I've learned with others."
If you would like more information about this conference, please call the International Association of Character Cities at 405-815-0001 ext. 270, or visit http://www.charactercities.org/