The Power of the Other: The startling effect other people have on you, from the boardroom to the bedroom and beyond-and what to do about it

by Henry Cloud

Too often we think of character strictly in moral terms: Is this person honest and ethical? But character is much more than whether or not someone is going to lie, cheat, or steal. Those are merely “permission to play” character traits. Anyone who’s dishonest or tries to cheat you or steal shouldn’t even be under consideration for your trust. Run away, and keep your hands on your wallet and your heart. That’s elementary. I’m talking about other character traits beyond honesty and ethics: Optimist or pessimist? Proactive or passive? Does she persevere and solve problems when things get difficult? Is he too soft for what you need? Too hard? Too rigid? Too impulsive? Too paralyzed by fear of failure? Compassionate? Kind? Brittle? Fun? Resilient? Forgiving? We could go on and on.