The Character Edge: Leading and Winning with Integrity

(Hardback)

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Description

A former superintendent of the West Point military academy and a psychologist explain why all successful leaders rely on a foundation of strong character. The Character Edge is a ground-breaking leadership book that shows you how to win the right way. From the battlefield to the classroom, General Caslen and Dr Matthews have witnessed first-hand the vital link between strong character and strong leadership, and how the latter cannot exist without the former. Competence matters, but without character leadership ultimately fails. And the co-authors are increasingly troubled by the prevalence of character failures in society today: dishonest politicians, CEOs committing fraud, disgraced military commanders and cheating athletes are among many other 'win at any cost' stories dominating the news. The Character Edge weaves stories from their own lives and myriad other leaders with new research about how to classify, measure and cultivate character. The book is the first of its kind in employing the insights of a decorated military leader together with the knowledge of a prominent positive psychologist. It provides a compelling case for the powerful role character plays in trust, culture and leadership, and it offers readers tools to exercise and strengthen their own character.

Reviews

The Character Edge is inspiring and practical in equal measure, drawing upon both scientific research and personal experience in how, and why, to develop strengths of heart, mind and gut. Only Mike Matthews and Bob Caslen could have written it. This will surely be an instant classic! -- Angela Duckworth, CEO of the Character Lab and bestselling author of Grit
Few great leaders have charismatic personality, but all have character that inspires. Caslen and Matthews show how and why this fundamental inner architecture of leadership can and must be built. -- Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and co-author of Built to Last
In The Character Edge, Caslen and Matthews offer the definitive guide to how individuals and organizations may build and utilize positive character to flourish and win. Corporations who get this message excel, those that do not will fail in the long run -- Indra Nooyi, former chairman and CEO of PepsiCo
What determines the importance and long-lasting impact of leadership Lieutenant general and former West Point superintendent Caslen and psychologist Matthews examine the qualities of character that make a leader worth following . . . [their] combined experience culminates in a fascinating study of leadership -- Booklist
If you ever aspire to effective leadership, whether at the tactical or strategic level, you'll soon learn that the most important ingredient in effective leadership is character. Bob Caslen and Mike Matthews have captured this truth in both theory and application with moving and insightful stories and personal experiences. This book will both challenge you and motivate you to lead a life of integrity and honor, and in so doing, inspire the men and women you lead to the highest achievements they never thought possible. Bob and Mike have something very, very important here. I hope it goes viral in a big way. -- Admiral William H. McRaven, US Navy (Retired), and bestselling author of Make Your Bed: 10 Life Lessons from a Navy SEAL

Author Bio

General Robert Caslen has led more than 200,000 soldiers, under nine commanders in chief, deploying six times; and headed West Point, the institution from which he graduated, for five years. Dr. Michael Matthews has forty years of experience as a psychologist, the past fifteen of which have focused on character assessment and development among West Point cadets. He is a founding member of the Military Child Education Coalition's Science Advisory Board.