Principles and Power of Character by Myles Munroe PDF Summary

Summary of Power of Character in Leadership PDF by Myles Munroe

Below is a concise and straight-to-the-point summary of the Power of Character in Leadership by Myles Munroe

What is Character According to Myles Munroe?

According to Dr. Myles Munroe,  Character means having a commitment to a set of values without compromise. Character means making a continual effort to integrate your thoughts, words, and actions. Character means being dedicated to a set of standards without wavering. 

Character means making sacrifices in support of your principles. Character means imposing self-discipline in keeping with your values and moral standards.

We cannot just claim to have character until we stand when we are in specific situations that place demands on the strength of our character.

The only way our character can truly manifest is when our values, principles, morals, and standards are tested; when we persevere under the pressures of life, and when self-sacrifice for the sake of our principles becomes more important to us than compromise for the sake of popularity.

Why is Character Important? ( The Priority of Character in Leadership by Dr. Myles Munroe)

1. Character protects a leader’s inner life
2. Character extends the longevity of leadership
3. Character preserves a leader’s cause and legacy
4. Character prevents a leader from hurting those around him
5. Character gives leaders credibility
6. Character gives leaders moral force
7. Character ensures that leaders maintain trustworthiness
8. Character establishes integrity in leaders
9. Character legitimizes leaders

Tests and Temptations Are the Litmus Test for True Character

The three major types of temptations that all human beings experience are the test of appetites, the test of fame, and the test of power. Also, there are 5 areas where we will be tested to prove the strength of our character

• Our commitment, or standards, in relation to something or someone.
• Our loyalty to our convictions when we are under pressure.
• Our dedication to the values we promised we would never violate.
• Our faithfulness to what is right and just.
• Our honesty and integrity

How Character Develops

There are 3 factors that make up the formation of our character. They are what we believe, what we value, and what we serve.

1. What we believe

What we believe about leaders and leadership has a tremendous effect on what type of leader we become and whether we will fulfill our inherent leadership purpose. 

It determines whether the path we embark on, guided by our personal beliefs and convictions, will lead us to develop an honorable character that will support our leadership or will lead us to develop character flaws that will undermine it.

There are four popular but erroneous beliefs many people have about leadership which in turn displays in their character. All four of these beliefs are centered around the fact that only some people are leaders and they are superior to other people:

• The “Birth Trait” Theory: the belief that some people are born with a special trait that exempts them as leaders.
• The “Chosen by the Gods” Theory: the belief that some specific people are chosen by otherworldly powers to rule over others.
• The “Charismatic Personality” Theory: the belief that people who have strong and driving personalities are the ones to be leaders.
• The “External Factors” Theory: the belief that leadership is wholly a product of your environment. It is 100% learned and nothing else.
• These four beliefs, although they have some elements of truth, do not cover the entire scope of leadership as ordained by God. I have explained the right concept God has concerning leadership according to Myles Munroe here.

2. What we value

Values are ideas, principles, and qualities on which you personally place high worth. A value is a belief—in something or someone—that you esteem, on its own merits. 

They are the standards or ideals that determine your conduct or policy. 

For example, if you own a piece of expensive jewelry, the value you place on your jewelry will both predict and affect your behavior toward it. If you truly value it as a possession, you will keep it clean and put it in a safe place when you’re not wearing it. You may even check on it from time to time, to make sure it has not been lost or stolen. 

To truly be a person of character, you must value character over talent, reputation, and position. Meaning if it means losing your reputation or position just to uphold good character, you don’t mind, and if you are to exalt someone, you will exalt someone with character over someone with skills and talents.

If you don’t think upholding good character is a big deal, you will be dragged into the corrupt ways of society.

3. What we serve

The last factor in character development is what you serve. What you believe and what you value, after all, are dictated by who or what you serve. If your allegiance is to a system that does not uphold moral standards, that’s what your beliefs and values will display.

Serving God, the Creator of the universe, will instill the right character in you and protect your leadership.

How To Restore Broken Character by Myles Munroe

As much as this book is aimed at helping us live lives that are above reproach, we do not neglect the fact that times can come when leaders fall or when acts of indiscretion are done that break character. 

At times like this, there is still hope for the restoration of character and trust. It wouldn’t happen immediately but if you commit to the principles that restore character, you will rise again. 

1. Admit your need for help
2. Confess your violation of trust.
3. Identify a true and reliable authority in your life to be accountable to.
4. Practice complete submission to that authority without condition.
5. Obey the advice, counsel, and instruction of that authority without condition.
6. Accept full responsibility for your fall.
7. Agree never to attempt to defend yourself or your act of indiscretion.
8. Agree to allow the authority to represent and speak on your behalf to your constituency and the greater community.
9. Practice total submission to the discretion of the authority with regard to your readiness to return to public service.
10. Establish a permanent relationship with the authority for the purpose of ongoing accountability.

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