Book Club: Personality vs Character Ethics (pg 15-22)
August 19, 2024
For over 150 years, literature on success emphasized what Covey terms the Character Ethic. This philosophy focuses on foundational principles like integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the Golden Rule. The Character Ethic teaches that true success and lasting happiness stem from integrating these principles into our very being. Covey asserts, “The Character Ethic taught that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.”
These timeless values provide a solid foundation for personal and professional growth. By developing and nurturing our character, we create a stable base from which all our actions and interactions can flourish.
However, Covey notes a significant shift in the concept of success after World War I, from the Character Ethic to what he calls the Personality Ethic. To describe this new approach, Covey observes, “Success became more a function of personality, of public image, of attitudes and behaviors, skills and techniques, that lubricate the processes of human interaction.” While these attributes can be helpful, they are often superficial and focus more on quick fixes rather than enduring principles. This shift led to a compartmentalization of character, treating it as just one aspect of success rather than its foundation.
The Pitfalls of Personality Ethic
While the Personality Ethic can yield short-term gains, it often lacks the depth required for sustained success. Covey warns, “If I try to use human influence strategies and tactics of how to get other people to do what I want, to work better, to be more motivated, to like me and each other–while my character is fundamentally flawed, marked by duplicity and insincerity–then, in the long run, I cannot be successful. My duplicity will breed distrust, and everything I do–even using so-called good human relations techniques–will be perceived as manipulative.”
Without a solid foundation of character, techniques and strategies can come across as insincere and manipulative. People are perceptive and can sense when there is a lack of genuine integrity. As Covey aptly puts it, “Only basic goodness gives life to technique.” In other words, without true character, any skill or tactic is rendered hollow and ineffective in the long run.
The Power of Character
Ultimately, it is our character that communicates most powerfully. Covey emphasizes, “What we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.” Our actions, behaviors, and interactions are a direct reflection of our inner character. Genuine success stems from aligning our actions with these core principles, creating a harmonious and trustworthy presence in all aspects of life.
Covey urges us to remember the foundational principles that underpin true success. He suggests that in our quest for improvement, we may have “inadvertently become so focused on our own building that we have forgotten the foundation that holds it up.” This reminder is a call to return to the core values that form the bedrock of meaningful and lasting success.
What did you learn from these pages? Tell us in the comments below and join us on September 2nd as we cover pages 23-35.
I love this. I also think it’s great to understand what values are closest to us personally so we don’t try to become someone we are not or look “perfect” in someone else’s eyes. thanks !!
I agree! As we try to be authentic, it is helpful to really identify our values and live our life accordingly.
I used the Franklin Planner for many years of my life, and I was so influenced by Cobey in the early 90s that I made a habit of collecting books of life advice that pre-dated World War I, and I was very much inclined to be immersed in philosophy, anyway. Not until many years of immersion in social media, did I truly lose my way in relation to these things. I am not in great health, so it is difficult to divide my time well. Exhaustion wears away at my efforts.
So sorry to hear about your health Crystal. In your search of books of life advice pre-dating WWI, did you find any that you would recommend?
I read 15-22 several times in prep for today. It nudged me to self-evaluate. Personality vs Character is a provocative transition! Particularly as psychotherapy is often based on persoanlity theory, I.e. Carl Rodger’s and others. Clarity of conceptualization is essential. It would be easy from our reading to conclude personality = simplistic/superficial while character = roots, formative evolution. All which leads me to ask if character can be changed! If so, how?
Thank you for your insights, Bill! That will be a good question to keep in mind as we continue our reading. I hope you’ll share what you discover as we get further into the book.
This section was a powerful reminder for me on a couple of fronts:
Covey’s use of phrases like “social image consciousness” and “influence techniques” when discussing the superficial nature of success literature during his time feels even more relevant today with the rise of social media. I often struggle with maintaining my authenticity on these platforms and still haven’t quite figured out the best way to navigate it.
The quote “It is character that communicates most eloquently” deeply resonates with me, especially as my dad, who was 90 years old, recently passed away. During his services last weekend, countless friends, family members, and neighbors spoke of his unwavering core values and how they consistently shone through in his character. This has been a profound reminder for me, making this book particularly timely and meaningful.
Thank you for sharing, Diane! So sorry for your loss. It sounds like your father was a great example of these principles and I’m sure you’ll continue to be reminded of him as we make our way through this book.
This is an excellent point!
I have worked for 50 years in corporate companies and as a teacher. Covey presented a definite description of the value of character ethics and how it is downplayed in business and in our daily lives. It’s a tool universities are not teaching our leaders. It is up to seminars and webinars to stress this unique quality.
This statement in the first paragraph on page 20 resonated with me. “We also conscientiously worked on our own motives and cultivated internal sources of security so that our own feelings of worth were not dependent on our children’s “acceptable” behavior.” When we are secure with ourselves, we are able to give and support others around us so much better.
I first read the 7 habits book when I was in my early 30’s 30 years ago. I still find myself working to continually apply Dr. Covey’s habits into my life and sharing them with others. My realization when I read the book in ’94 and when I revisit it 30 years later is how I wish I had read the book as a student and applied these concepts from an early age. Character is key. I gifted my daughter a copy of this book when she was in high school and last year she asked me to find the books and bring them with me when I came for a weekend visit.