Guest: Dr. Mary Crossan, Distinguished University Professor at Western University You say you want to hire people with good character – but what does “character” mean?   In this rediscovered episode, Dr. Mary Crossan of Ivey University defines exactly what leader character is, why it matters, and how to develop it. She’s found leader character is not just an add-on, but a foundational element that propels organizations towards sustained excellence. And it’s a win-win: the cultivation of leader character significantly enhances both individual well-being and prompts a culture of integrity and effectiveness within organizations.   Produced in association with the International Leadership Association: https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/ . Other episodes you'll enjoy: Leading with Character: A Real-Life Red Roof Report with George Limbert To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice, & Purpose with Ron Carucci Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on TikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   You’ll find more about Mary’s research at https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/ . Her podcast, Question of Character, is online at https://www.questionofcharacter.com/ . The site also has an archive of essays on leadership character.   Mary’s book, Developing Leadership Character, is on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3PKZQfw.  The seminal (and very robust and expensive) book establishing character research which Mary referenced is Character Strengths and Virtues by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman. It’s available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3TVsyNp .   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.      Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Everyday Ubuntu: Living Better Together, the African Way by Mungi Ngomane. Hardback (https://amzn.to/48Doh6j) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/48YCRF4) Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First by Martha Piper & Indira Samarasekera. Paperback (https://amzn.to/3tOtzg4) and audiobook (https://amzn.to/41OYdT5) Jilly Truit murder mysteries by Beverley McLachlin: Full Disclosure – https://amzn.to/46TxW6Q (paperback) https://amzn.to/46VDL3Q (audiobook) Denial – https://amzn.to/46YCbhs (paperback) https://amzn.to/3GJc0AA (audiobook) Women and Leadership: Journey Toward Equity by Sherylle J. Tan & Lisa DeFrank-Cole   NOTE: As an Amazon partner, we may make a small commission from books you buy through these links.   -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor & Raconteur: Luigi Morelli Characteristically Awesome: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Threads: @innovativeleaders X/Twitter/Whatever New Name It Has This Week: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  TikTok: @innovativeleadership Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Mary Crossan is a Distinguished University Professor at Western University – Western's highest honour recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service. In 2021, she was recognized on a global list representing the top two percent of the most cited scientists in her discipline. She teaches in the undergraduate, MBA, Ph.D. and Executive Programs. Her research on organizational learning, strategy, leadership character and improvisation has been widely published in such journals as the Strategic Managem