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Commentary
Character necessary for success
Published:
Monday, December 9, 2002
Roy Saigo
As we come to the end of another semester, I wish you well as you complete final papers, projects and exams.
I encourage you to consider the advice of successful individuals who have attributed their accomplishments to hard work, perseverance, a positive attitude and determination to do their best.
You may have more opportunities to succeed academically, but the challenges you face right now will not come around again. So to quote two well-worn adages, "seize the day" and "bite the bullet!"
To those of you who are preparing to graduate on Dec. 21, I congratulate you and look forward to celebrating this great accomplishment with you at Commencement ceremonies.
To the list of attributes listed above that are considered important to personal and professional success, I'd like to add one that I believe is even more essential -- character.
Character is defined as the mental and ethical traits that individualize a person.
A person with good character is generally considered to be one who has the strength to do what's right even when it's not popular -- or when no one is looking.
As Abraham Lincoln put it, "Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the reality."
How do you develop good character?
If you've listened and assimilated the good advice and positive examples of the leaders who have helped to shape your life, and if you've learned from experiences that taught you right from wrong, you may already have it.
According to Betty Kimbrough, a successful 1976 SCSU graduate and vice president of Human Resources for Target Stores, what you learn throughout life's journey can improve your potential.
"In whatever path you choose, the experiences along the way play an important role in how you develop," she said. "I can teach new employees what to do; I can't change who they are."
Some of the distinguishing attributes that I believe indicate good character are some of the same important characteristics we look for in a leader.
They include:
-- Honesty to do what is appropriate and right for the group, and not just for yourself;
-- Knowledge gained from continuing study to analyze, plan and take action;
-- Good communication skills to enhance understanding;
-- A strong base of personal experiences that have taught valuable lessons;
-- A clear self-identity and trust in your own experience, ideas, and ingenuity; and,
-- A good sense of humor and the ability to not take yourself and your critics too seriously.
Use the gifts of knowledge, creativity and critical thinking you have further developed in your years at SCSU to make a difference not only for yourself, but for others as well.
Be respectful of the opinions and ideas of those around you, and be aware of the impact you have on others as you form your points of view and share them with colleagues, friends and family. The future needs each of us to be both self-sustaining and sustaining of others.
I congratulate you on what you have accomplished and encourage you to continue to learn and to set worthy goals for yourselves. I wish you happiness and satisfaction in all that lies before you.
Thoughts and comments or topics for discussion in the President's Forum can be directed to the president's office in AS 200.
