1. Character Leadership Skill Area
This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

2. What is character?
The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual
These attitudes and behaviors are true – even when no one is watching

3. Developing Character…Good or Bad
A person can develop good or bad character
“Good” character – honesty, kindness, dependability
“Bad” character – rude, disrespectful, angry
What traits a person develops depends on their experiences and personality
This starts from when you’re a baby!
Many people say that a person “really has character”. Typically, they are referring to someone with positively associated traits. However, everyone has character, but may not all have these “good” traits. What is considered good or bad is somewhat a personal opinion, but society typically thinks of the things listed here as either good things to possess, or not so good.
All of this develops throughout our lives and is determined by our different experiences and personalities. While much of this happens naturally, we can be aware of our character and work towards having those “good” character traits. If we are aware of our actions and start to see the positive effects when we act through good character, we will begin to internalize those traits.

4. Response to Situations and Circumstances
The stronger the quality of some trait, the more likely you are to act in line with that trait
Example: someone who has a strong character quality of alertness will more likely be a safe driver that carefully pays attention to their surroundings
Our responses often determine our success or failure
Our character can be seen in most of what we do since it is often what drives our responses to different situations and circumstances. In the example here, being a good driver would not necessarily cause you to think of “alertness” as a character trait. However, if that person is also the first one to notice when someone calls them, or notices small details that no one else saw, it is likely that they have similar patterns of responses, due to their being alert.
This is important when you think of good or bad traits. Since our responses often determine our success or failure, ensuring positive character development can mean the difference in climbing the success ladder, or not.

5. Character & Leadership
The actions of leaders are noticed by all of those around them
Someone’s character traits can be seen in every action
After time, people will associate you with those traits, affecting their opinions of you
Good actions = good leadership
The behavior and decision making of leaders tend to be under more of a microscope. This means that people recognize how you react, and associate you with a character trait that fits those “typical” responses. If they associate you with good actions, good character traits, they will likely think of you as a more effective leader.
For those that are not in leadership roles, continuing to put forth your “good” character can get others to notice you and associate you with leadership potential.

6. “Who’s Your Character?” Activity
We are going to play charades, character trait style.
Choose one person from the group
Have this person pull a character trait out of a bowl/hat
This person must act out that trait or explain it without using the word
The rest of the group must guess what that trait is
Take turns acting them out until all of the traits are gone
Write out character traits, and stick each in a hat or bowl:
Honest, Loyal, Devoted, Loving, Kind, Sincere, Devoted, Ambitious, Satisfied, Happy, Faithful, Patient, Determined, Persistent
Dishonest, Disloyal, Unkind, Mean, Rude, Disrespectful, Impatient, Greedy, Angry, Pessimistic

7. What did you learn? How did you know what to act out or explain?
Which traits were the most difficult to act out or explain?
Was it clear which traits could be considered “good” or “bad”?
How can learning about character traits help you grow as a person?

8. “Choice Point” Activity
We are going to look at two scenarios and choose which path we
would take.
Choose one person to read a scenario pairing
Have them write down which they would choose
Have the rest of the group guess which scenario they will choose
BONUS: try to guess the “trait” described in that scenario
Repeat until all pairings have been used!
Below are scenario pairings:
**Note – the trait should not be shown to any students so that they may guess what it is
Johnny was rushing down the hallway to his next class. Another student was coming around the corner and they collided, both falling to the ground. Johnny reacted by:
A. Apologizing to the other student and helping them get up even though he was frustrated about being late. (Kind)
Sighing loudly and yelling at the other student that they made him late for class, pushing the student’s books away as he got up. (Mean)
Dorothy went into a convenience store to buy a soda. She was looking at phone chargers for her car when the clerk asked for her money. When she got outside, she
realized she had put the charger in her bag when she went to grab her money. Dorothy:
A. Kept the charger any way because she felt that the clerk’s store was “garbage” anyway. (Disrespectful)
B. Went back into the store, apologized to the clerk and explained what had happened. (Honest)
Robby made plans months ago with his best friend to go to the Phillies game on his birthday. However, his mom told him that she got him tickets to a concert for his favorite band that same night. Robby decided to:
Thank his mom for the offer, but tell her that he already made plans with his friend. (Loyal)
Go to the Phillies game for a few innings, then leave for the concert so that he can enjoy both events. (Greedy)
Cindy needed to get to work fast. The night before she did not get any sleep because she was working on a paper until 4am. In a rush, she decided to grab some coffee at Starbuck’s. The baristas were just changing shifts and the line was longer than normal. Cindy:
Waited her turn, understanding that the wait was nobody’s fault. (Patient)
Started to complain in line about how slow they were and that she doesn’t understand why she ever decides to go there. (Impatient)
Little Brendan loved riding his tricycle, but really wanted to ride his two wheeler. Last weekend, he fell each time he got on his bike. This weekend, Brendan decided to try again but fell on the first try. Brendan decided:
That he would never be able to do it, so why keep trying? (Pessimistic)
To get back on and continue to try until he was successful. (Persistent)

9. What did you learn?
How did you make the decision about which path they would take?
What other information could you have used to make a better choice?
Was it difficult or easy to make the decision for yourself? Why?
How can understanding your character and the character of others help you at school and work?