Leadership & Character | Wilmington, NC
A group of Wake Foresters gathered over dinner at the home of an alumnus and Wake Forest parents on August 14, 2017, in Wilmington, NC to discuss leadership and character.
Our conversation focused on how being a person of character makes someone a leader, whether in an intentional and formal way or unintentionally and less formal. With all of the great stories we shared, there were several themes that were common among the individuals that served as shining examples of character and impacted our lives:
- Character in action and in service.
- Humility and integrity.
- Persistence through adversity.
- Putting others’ needs before your own.
Our conversation evolved into if and how Wake Forest can help shape students of good character, and therefore leaders, given that students do not arrive on campus until they are young adults. We believe that the answer is yes. In fact, almost all of the stories we told were about encounters we had as adults, and how those experiences positively influenced our own character and leadership qualities.