Is there a debate?

As you look to select teammates, fill open positions, or choose whom to reward with a special opportunity, the question often presents itself, “Should I more favor high competence or strong character?” Of course, we would prefer the full presence of both, but we know that both show up to a level in every person. So where do we place the most weight?

Some will argue that they can more easily teach skills, but they can’t so easily grow character. Some will argue that you can’t teach talent, but you can over time inculcate values. Some might say that getting the job done to the required standard and on time is all that really matters or at least what matters most. Others will say that it’s just as important that the job gets done the right way.

Is there really a debate? The fact is that if an enterprise is going to be successful, it needs people who are both highly competent and have strength of character. And it needs leaders who make engaging their people on both fronts a priority. Enterprise leaders need to offer their people the opportunity to build up their skills base and to maintain and grow their character.

At the Agathe Center for Entrepreneurship, we counsel our clients to recognize that their endeavors require both high competence and strong character of themselves and their partners and colleagues. We want them to recognize that having the competency to get the job done is critical and that having the character to get the job done in the right way is vital.

This month, we had the privilege of selecting our Agathe Scholarship Award Winner for 2023 from an outstanding pool of applicants (read more below). The presence of both high competence and strong character was required. There really was no debate.

‍