Erin,

Thanks for your work and passion. I'm going to lay out a few assumptions that I have and give you the opportunity to correct me where you think I am wrong.

I've taken character based leadership to be leadership founded in the good character of the leader. On the other hand, I haven't assumed that everyone with good character can lead an organization. However, I believe most people can be taught how to lead.

If you define a leader as someone who has followers everyone leads to some degree or another. Those with poor character lead. For example, the rebellious 6th grader may gather a small crowd of weak-minded crowd-followers vulnerable to peer pressure.

I think it makes sense to say that enduring, effective leaders usually have good character.

I'm laying my ignorance out here for your review. I'm not sure I understand the expression "character-based" leadership in the way you would define it. I'm willing to listen and learn.

Best,

Dan