Leadership & Character | Atlanta, GA

A group of Wake Foresters gathered over dinner in Atlanta, GA on June 12, 2019 to discuss Leadership & Character.

Overview and highlights of our Call to Conversation:

• The stories shared were personal and insightful about a time when great character and leadership were exhibited. Throughout the duration of our Jeffersonian style dinner, we discussed the importance of civil discourse; having educated conversations with opposing views which emphasizes our motto of Pro Humanitate and enriches our knowledge of topics and ideas.
• We discussed the human need for a community in order to live a full life. A community in which we are influenced and encouraged by others perspectives.
• We acknowledged that sometimes good people make bad decisions, but the difference is that someone with strong character has a desire to right the wrong and change for the better. Character evolves over time.
• We acknowledged that leadership and character do not discriminate, they affect individuals across all ages and stages of life.
• A major theme throughout the conversation was daily self-sacrifice; putting others’ needs before your own and never expecting credit for these actions. The desire to make the world a better place and never receiving recognition. We emphasized that most often the little actions are what count the most.
• We recognized that strong leadership and character requires vulnerability and humility.
• We concluded that high moral character equals strong leaders, that they go hand and hand. However that does not mean that all people in leadership positions have good character.
• Notable quotes from our conversation:
  • “Be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi
  • “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
• A final thought was on paying it forward, everyone around the dinner table spoke of time when they were touched by someone of strong character and now we can think about how we can pay it forward.