Americans evaluate leaders on both character—integrity, honesty, fairness, humility—and competence—capability, effectiveness, results. Neither dimension alone suffices. The competent but corrupt leader violates trust; the honest but incompetent leader fails followers who depend on effective leadership.
When working with Americans, understand that you will be evaluated on both dimensions. Character failures—lying, unfairness, self-dealing—are particularly damaging because they reveal you as unworthy of trust. But good character cannot substitute for capability; you must also be able to deliver results. Americans want leaders who are both good people and effective performers, and they evaluate leaders against both criteria.
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