Leaders-ByDesign
Why Should I Visit Leaders-ByDesign?
PROBLEM
Why do we have bad leaders? We have a crisis of character in our leaders.
We have horrific “leaders” because we have lost sight of how great leaders behave. Our leaders disappoint us because we no longer consider character when choosing them. Where character and integrity used to be the deciding factors in electing or appointing our leaders, wealth and status have taken their places.
SOLUTIONS
What can we do? Redefine Great Leadership
We must define the values we want our leaders to have, look at whether or not our leader-candidates act (integrity) according to these values, and then choose leaders who behave with moral conviction.
What defines a great leader? Essentially, character + integrity = great leader.
First, a great leader demonstrates positive character traits and morals such as honesty, courage, generosity, compassion, persistence, empathy, resilience, responsibility, trustworthiness, inspiration, diligence, and selflessness. Second, and equally important, a great leader has integrity - morals in action. Great leaders, such as George Washington and Martin Luther King (MLK), build people up, collaborate, and solve problems. Washington fought for his beliefs about freedom from tyranny, and MLK used peaceful protest to fight for equality. People chose to follow these great leaders; they were not forced, coerced, or bribed to follow them.
Who are some examples - role models - of great leaders?
Fortunately, we don’t have to look far to find them. Besides Washington and King, they surround us as our artists, athletes, civil servants, thinkers, business people, and innovators. Having good character is a start, but in order to be a great leader, a person must act to improve society. I have found some accomplished people - some well-known and some not as much - who have proven to be wonderful leaders and role models, and I have compiled their profiles in my book, 25 US G.O.A.T.s: Profiles in Leadership. The Greatest Of All Time people in this book have not only excelled in their respective fields, they have made the USA, and in many cases the world, a better place. They have demonstrated the character and integrity of great leaders.
How can we have better leaders in the future?
We must develop leadership in ourselves and our children by building character and integrity.
We complain about the state of our country, about poor leadership, hate, and division, but most of us don’t do anything to create better leaders or unite our fellow Americans. I understand. Few of us have the resources to make big changes or create perfect leaders. Where and how do we begin? We can read, think, learn, and talk about good character and integrity by using the resources on this website, as well as the questions in my book as discussion or writing prompts. We can teach and talk to our teens about what makes a great leader, and about character and integrity, and we can introduce them to appropriate role models. Let’s get started!
Building Character & Integrity
Hi! Welcome!
Mission of Leaders-ByDesign:
CREATE GREAT LEADERS WHO IMPROVE THE WORLD.
Strategy for achieving the mission:
READ, THINK, LEARN, COMMUNICATE, ACT.
HOW CAN WE HAVE BETTER LEADERS?
You have entered a space for developing leadership by building character and integrity. Leaders-ByDesign especially hopes to help teach character and integrity to our young people, so that our future is filled with extraordinary leaders. Leaders-ByDesign wants to heal division and improve our country and the world by exploring what exceptional leadership is.
LET'S REDEFINE LEADERSHIP: CHARACTER + INTEGRITY = GREAT LEADER.
We want the expectation to be strong moral character and integrity from all of our leaders, but first we must uncover their morals, values, and character traits because these are what guide great leaders.
Leaders-ByDesign needs your participation to achieve such a lofty goal. Based on the tenets of social constructivism, the more interactions among people of diverse backgrounds, the better the result. Please communicate in the Discussion Form, comment on the blogs, or visit my Substack, Linkedin or Facebook page.
The process is important. Please explore the website, express your ideas, read others’ ideas, think, and respond. Use the Case Studies and other resources to teach character and integrity to our young people. Consider using my course to intentionally teach specific qualities, such as honesty, resilience, perseverance, empathy, and courage to them. Read the Blogs. Take a look at some recommended books about character, integrity, and leadership on the Books and Resources page. Read 25 US G.O.A.T.s: Profiles in Leadership to find role models for our teens. Post your thoughts in the Discussion Forum, and let’s share ideas. This website is intended to be a clearinghouse for all things leader.
Thank you for participating! See you in the new world!
Who are some of our greatest American heroes and role models?
Celebrate the extraordinary spirit of the United States through the captivating stories of 25 phenomenal American leaders–the undisputed G.O.A.T.s (Greatest Of All Time) in their diverse fields. From groundbreaking innovators and visionary artists to courageous activists and transformative philanthropists, this powerful collection honors individuals who reached the pinnacle of success and then dedicated themselves to making a lasting, positive impact on the world through generous contributions of money, unwavering service, or personal sacrifice.
Discover how Michael Phelps overcame mental health battles, how Dolly Parton grew up in a tiny Tennessee cabin with 11 siblings, and how Quincy Jones chose music over a life of petty crimes. Find out how a woman brought down a corrupt president. Learn how to invest from the G.O.A.T. investor, the “Sage of Omaha.”
Explore the character traits and integrity that guided these iconic figures to achieve and motivated them to give back to society. Feel pride in their remarkable achievements and find inspiration to become a leader in your own unique way.
LISTEN
PERFECT FOR READERS OF ALL AGES: STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND ANYONE EAGER TO BE INSPIRED BY STORIES OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY.
Apple Books * Google Play Books * Amazon * Lulu
GREAT FOR BOOK CLUB DISCUSSIONS! QUESTIONS INCLUDED!
Post in the Discussion or email your G.O.A.T. recommendations for future books!
REVIEWS
"What a relevant—yet original—idea for a book! I loved reading about people I hadn't thought of for a while and discovering GOATs who are new to me. It's so uplifting to read about people who are not only talented and hardworking, but also generous and compassionate. These people are terrific role models for all of us!"
DAVID CHANDLER