"I was moved by your book. I was moved by your philosophical exploration, the concept of character-not just pushing a specific version of it, but breaking it down into component parts. Character is conviction plus discipline, and the thing that you argue for is to be curious about our convictions. Why is it important for you, for us, to not just have character or have good character, but to challenge the components of it in our lives?"
"If you break character into the convictions, the strongly held beliefs you have-times your discipline to live to them, because anything is zero if you don't have the discipline to live to it-the convictions matter a lot, but they're not the things that someone just told you. And if you think about it, most of us are the religion we were raised in, we're the nationality we were born into."
Courageous leadership in 2025 requires deliberate examination of one's convictions and the disciplined commitment to live by them. Convictions often derive from upbringing and experience, so leaders must interrogate inherited beliefs rather than accept them uncritically. Character is defined as conviction multiplied by discipline, making both elements essential. Leaders must remain curious about why they hold certain beliefs and be willing to revise them. Active citizenship and the responsibilities of leaders demand careful navigation of civil-military boundaries, especially when military forces are deployed domestically. Ethical leadership balances personal conviction, disciplined practice, and respect for democratic institutions.
Read at Fast Company
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