Questions of Character: Illuminating the Heart of Leadership Through Literature

by Joseph L. Badaracco Jr.

The hardest tests for leaders challenge their character as much as their skills, and a growing body of research shows that the self-knowledge gained from such tests is critical to leaders’ success.

In Questions of Character , Joseph L. Badaracco outlines eight fundamental challenges that test a leader’s character, and proposes exploring them through the lens of literature. Badaracco argues that serious fiction provides us with memorable characters facing compelling challenges similar to those that confront business leaders. Through rich analysis of the main characters in The Death of a Salesman , The Secret Sharer , The Last Tycoon , and other stories, Badaracco addresses complex issues leaders face, such as the soundness of their vision, their readiness to take on responsibility, the depth of their compassion, and their ability to manage success.

Presenting classic leadership dilemmas in a novel and valuable light, Questions of Character helps leaders and aspiring leaders prepare for the opportunities and tests before them.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, Management, Education, Business Leadership, Buisness

221 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2006

Reviews

[Qb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The questions of character tries to deal with leadership issues through literature.The stories,dramas seleted for this purpose dates back to medieval times and beyond.The author has tried to illuminate leadership traits by connecting these with fiction.However this has not led to make it more pleasant and it remains the characteristic of a bussiness book.Besides this, it is highly useful and adresses specific issues like are my role models unsettling,am i ready to take responsibility and can i resist the flow of success.The books makes one more aware of one's self and tries to reconcile the grave realities of life with the cardinal ptinciples of leadership.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent integration of leadership qualities learned by reading some great literature with what is needed to lead well in business. Problem: No literature by women or female main characters discussed.

[Claire Raabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

“(Literature) lets us watch leaders as they think, worry, hope, hesitate, commit, exult, regret and reflect.”

This book combined my favorite things - stories, character, leadership, principles and pragmatism. A necessary read for any one who teaches leaders or is early on their track to becoming one.

This is one I’ll come back and visit with!

[Grant Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how this book made me feel unsettled in every single chapter. It asked just the right questions to help me think about the literature on a deeper level. The writing style wasn't my favorite but that didn't matter to me. The questions it asks and the insights it gives make the book very powerful.

You will get the most value out of this book if you read the assigned texts before each chapter.

[Lisa Alsop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book on leadership lessons seen in prominent literary works. The best thing is that the book provides enough background on each work so if you haven't read them before you can still follow the parallelism.

[J. Tayler Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the approach; the author teaches about leadership by examining fictional characters. I was in on the first chapter, but as the book went on I felt it was almost too superficial on the topic of leadership.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, good questions, unexpected literary sources. However, the characters and their issues are all so male that it's hard for the non-male to get a toehold.

[Stephani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a class. I found it informative and invoke deeper thinking of yourself on several levels.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories used analyzing certain aspects of leadership

[Alma || المى · Rating 3 out of 5]

**read for uni
Kinda smacked ngl

[Eddie Chua · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read the examples and context for each of the question, I begin to ask if there are parts of my life story that I can give as an example as well to every question? As each is being filled with different stories, during different parts of my life, I understand that I had been challenged and questioned by my character before. There are times where there is clarity, which I stood firm to my principles, perspective and values, there are times where I waiver. In situations where I waiver, I thought it was because of my weak conviction, instead today I understand that it could have been my higher self has been probed to review and relearn. Perspective can and will change only if I keep an open mind.

The chapter that stuck me the most was Chapter 1, and the story of "death of a salesman". Like the CEO in the author's class as he highlighted, "have we all not face and done something similar"? Which part was he referring doesn't matter, as in the simple synopsis given, I had to take deep breaths as the image of self was in it, both the role of Willy and Biff. Being stuck in illusion, becoming distant to the ones we earning and providing for, laying out expectations to others, neglecting one's environment, overrating self, seek acknowledgement.....it springs the additional question of what is and for whom am I living for? Do I encourage others to discover and follow their dream, or buy them over to fulfill mine? I feel this is where a root of transactional relationships are, buying others over to fulfil self-desires. A topic I will relook deeper.

What I am being highlighted, is that there are many great stories out there, in which I can learn values from, am I able to see it as I engaged into them. Likewise, as I write and express myself, am I able to convey my values in words? Is there something in which I would like to express? Or does it become a narrative piece? A reminder of putting my energy into my words, both written and spoken, as they are messages of my values and character.

[Paul W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Badaracco starts with the premise that "serious fiction gives us a unique, inside view of leadership.' He argues that 'the difference between success and failure is not skill, technique, credentials, networking, or even experience. It is clarity about who one is.' (p5)
The first four tests of character examined relate to the early stages of a career: Do I have a good dream? How flexible is my moral code? Are my role models unsettling? and Do I really care?
Later chapters examine questions of character arising from success: Can I resist the flow of success? How well do I combine principles and pragmatism? and What is sound reflection?
Badaracco cautions against solipsism - the conviction that one's self is the only reality - which 'often seduces leaders, particularly successful ones.' People often compete to meet external standards or comparisons - 'who has reached a finish line first'. By contrast 'questions of character focus on the starting line.' (p192)
When discussing the value of reflection, he argues that for leaders it 'is not a matter of time out; it actually involves the quality of their "time in".' (p164)
While this book will not be for everyone, if you enjoy literature, then you will enjoy this reflection on leadership lessons from serious fiction.

[Lamec Mariita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book is very powerful. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the repetitions but maybe it served a purpose of making sure everybody got the information. Some of the author's ideas are new and thought-provoking. I liked the examples the author used to illustrate his points. I wish there was more examples to make the ideas clear. I highly recommend this book to any student of management or leadership.

[Juliana Petrucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my leadership class and it was okay. It gave great insight into being a leader but and each chapter was a different story/example. Some of the stories were better than others bc some were boring and hard to get through. It was also really repetitive for analysis parts. Overall, it was a good read but boring at times

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent leadership book that presents a basic foundation for understanding why the "soft skills" are important, and why its ok, and sometimes preferable, to be a "quiet leader". I would recommend for anyone who is interested in expanding their perspective on leadership.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this a five inspite of the prolific editorial errors. Badaracco's text is a novelty. He explores leadership through excerpts of literature. This book continues to yield insight time and again. One of the many reasons I used it as part of the text each year over at BYU.

[Kaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual in its approach in identifying leadership traits from fictional characters. For me, because of this approach, the book was very thought-provoking. I didn't agree with all of the author's assessments, but came away with deeper thoughts about leadership and reflected upon them.

[Mary Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me think. Of course, I had to go and read all the books it referred to and my interpretation of the fiction was not always the same as that of the author, but he made good point and I could see where he got the ideas he presented. A good read when you have a lot of time to think about it.

[Baci Bacigalupi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a School of Humanities Leadership council. I didn't really think much of it.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the past books I've read in the past few years. I could go on and on about it. Ask me about it

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a gift from one of my professors. He uses it for his ethics class. I really like this book. I used it for my own code of ethics.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book for individuals who are not really into self-help books. Different perspective on leadership.

[John Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using literature to examine some of the crucial ethical and intellectual challenges of business and modern life.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that asks a lot of good questions for leaders to consider. There was not a whole of bridging into reality, but that was the point of the book.

[Semi-Academic Eric]

This might not be a classic. However, I put it on the classics shelf because it seems to utilize the study of classics for the noble purpose of developing character-based leadership.

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book on leadership for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evaluating literature as a source for leadership lessons is a unique and valuable angle. However, the book is repetitive and feels like it was written following a syllabus (which it probably was).

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I really liked this approach. Highly readable.