Find Your Bearings

1.2 Character Counts

​

Skills will get you hired. Character will decide how far you go.

In the workplace, you will be tested in ways you don’t expect. Anyone can smile when things are easy. What matters is who you are when it’s hard: when you’re tired, when a manager is unfair, when coworkers cut corners, or when nobody is watching.

​

Character is not built overnight. It is shaped moment by moment, in the small decisions you make every shift. Do you show up on time? Do you do the work properly even when it’s boring? Do you speak honestly? Do you keep your promises? Every “yes” to these questions adds to your strength. Every “no” chips away at it.

The paradox is that many companies will not reward you for good character in the short term. You may see dishonest people get ahead. You may see lazy people escape notice. Don’t be fooled. Over time, reputation always reveals the truth.

​

When you leave one job and apply for another, your record of character follows you. References, word of mouth, even the way coworkers remember you — these form the unseen résumé that matters more than any paper résumé you print.

​

Character counts because it is the one thing nobody can give you and nobody can take away. It is the quiet force that steadies you in toxic workplaces and lifts you in healthy ones. When you are tested, remember: the job is temporary, but your character is permanent.

​

Sidebar: The Mentor

​

Mentors are the opposite of overbearing managers. They don’t smother you; they trust you. They share knowledge, explain the “why” behind the work, and see your potential even when you don’t. If you meet a mentor, hold on tight. They are rare — but one mentor can shorten your learning curve by years.