<h1>Character Based Leadership is the conscious choice to be an<em> Ambassador</em> - To place the greater good, the purpose of the organization and the needs of others above your own desires.</h1>
<strong>It starts with a decision to lead with integrity, the understanding that everything you do is observed and evaluated by others as either authentic or as disingenuous, and the commitment to audit yourself:</strong>
<ul>
	<li>How do you greet people when you see them?</li>
	<li>How do you treat people when you are under pressure?</li>
	<li>Do you follow through on your commitments?</li>
	<li>What do you say about others when they are not around?</li>
	<li>Are your actions and directions to others ethical?</li>
</ul>
<strong>It means walking around and engaging with others, asking questions and seeking first to understand:</strong>
<ul>
	<li>Are there specific concerns?  And have they been addressed?</li>
	<li>Is the direction clear?</li>
	<li>Are the necessary tools available?</li>
	<li>Is consistent support provided?</li>
</ul>
<strong>It means having the courage to consistently speak truth instead of giving into fear and politics:</strong>
<ul>
	<li>What are the specific items that are creating barriers to success or increasing risk?</li>
	<li>Is there anyone else that needs to be involved?</li>
	<li>What are you doing to make sure the obstacles are being removed?</li>
</ul>
<strong>And it requires balancing both compassion and accountability for your own actions and when you address the actions of others:</strong>
<ul>
	<li>What have you learned about root causes for this issue?
<ul>
	<li>What have you done or not done to contribute to this issue?</li>
	<li>How can you take ownership of this issue?</li>
</ul>
</li>
	<li>Are historical patterns being repeated with the expectation of different results?
<ul>
	<li>Are there signs of improvement or are you managing decline?</li>
	<li>Is it time to change strategies?</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“A Level 5 leader is an individual who blends extreme personal humility with intense professional will.”</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Jim Collins, Author of <strong><a title="Good to Great" href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Companies-Leap-Others/dp/0066620996/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1307349037&amp;sr=1-1">GOOD TO GREAT</a></strong></p>
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<a title="Organizational Wholeness...  Putting the Pieces Together" href="http://leadchangegroup.com/organizational-wholeness-put-the-pieces-together/">Organizational Wholeness...  Putting The Pieces Together</a>

<a title="Together You Stand, Divided You Fall" href="http://leadchangegroup.com/together-you-stand-divided-you-fall/">Together You Stand, Divided You Fall</a>

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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">RESOURCES:</span></strong>

<em>Compassionate Accountability</em><strong><em>:</em></strong> Doug &amp; Bev Sprague

<em>Ambassador Analogy:</em> Max Lucado’s Book - <a title="It's Not About Me" href="http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-About-Me-ebook/dp/B001OLRNF4/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1?ie=UTF8&amp;m=AG56TWVU5XWC2">It’s Not About Me</a>

<em>Seeking First To Understand: </em>Stephen Covey's Book - <a title="The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" href="http://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/0671708635">The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.</a>

<em>Ownership Spirit:</em> Dennis Deaton - <a title="Quma Learning" href="http://www.quma.net/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=113&amp;Itemid=104">Quma Learning</a>

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