Conference quark::human_relations-v1

        My friend Lazaris has defined character as the frequency with
    which we apply our principles...and is an essential component of
    the self-realized human.
    
    Frederick
    

    
    Re: .1
    
    I would think that description might more appropriately describe the
    term "Integrity."
    
    Character, per se, has always been a rather nebulous term to me; one
    can have virtually any set of traits, good or bad, and the overall 
    sum of those traits 'defines' their character.... their makeup.
    
    /bh

    
    RE .2
    
    "Integrity"....
    Interesting subject - I've thought a lot about this over the years.
    
    The best discussion I've had on it centred around the idea that you
    have integrity when you have a balance between what you ARE and what
    you DO. They are "integrated". If the two grate against each other,
    people percieve your integrity as low....
    
    I think character is to do with the same area - how well you know
    yourself, and how much you live the beliefs you hold and live
    as the "real you". 
    Also has to do with how many wrinkles you have, natch. 
    ;-)
    
    'gail
    

    re: .2 (bh)
    
         You are free to set up your own definitions, of course.
    As for integrity, that same source has defined it as "spontaneous
    honesty."  Integrity is not "in" or "out," it just "is."
    
    Frederick
    

    
    reply to .0
    
         Character....The American Heritage dictionary has an 8 line
    definition for character. I like #8:
    
        "8. A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or a 
         group of genes."
    
         This particular definition is most analagous to organizational 
    dependencies. I would link this to Digital by saying that we are a 
    corporation made up of "characters/genes" or groups of "characters/
    genes". 
         
         In answer to your questions I belive that character can best be
    defined by the individual observing the action being undertaken. Is
    it particularly bad to follow a man at 10 paces ? Not in India. It is
    a cultural expectation. In Brazil, a man may shoot his wife for being
    unfaithful and remain of good moral character. A character in the 
    United States may be defined within the constraints of the organization
    to the individual level as the humorist. The person that can defuse or
    enhance situations is often said to be a character. I think we are all
    characters whether we can tell a joke or not. 
    
         Do we need characters ?
    
         I say yes. A persons character is defined at conception with 
    attitude, humor, savvy..etc,  lumped on throughout life. Just like 
    layered products each application builds upon the usefulness of the
    basic operating system. Only, with the human dynamics the experiences
    and usefulness of differing applications can be as opposite as night 
    and day. As in the previous paragraph I identified culture as the 
    primary guideline for character be it good or bad it depends on the 
    observer and their particular standards. 
        Every person brings a character of their own to the table wherever
    people meet. It is a shame that people often do not recognize the 
    intrinsic value of a person that does not meet the character of the
    group for this is the person that can often contribute significant 
    value to projects and programs. Through life experience we all win some 
    and lose some that is a part of life, we grow up to expect it. We all 
    gain knowledge and build character this way.
    
        Organizational characters
     
        I have heard that it takes a "team effort" now to develop product
    in time for market share and  philosiphies that require elimination 
    of "stovepipes". Isn't this just a way of saying that we need to work
    more fluently and uncover some of the organizational character that our
    groups have developed over the years ?  This, I believe is going to be
    very difficult for us all because this is totally different than the
    culture we have all been exposed to. In societal institutions we have 
    been expected to perform as the culture demands or to adapt our own
    characters to the needs of the changing environment. The pace of change 
    is increasing exponentially most recently and has forced us to become
    increasingly compliant. We are forced to look at what or who works in
    one area and try to adapt it to another.....however....
         To take what works in one area and transplant it to another is
    very difficult without the use of some type of antigen in medicine and
    the same can be said for organizations. We, at once as characters and
    observers of characteristics are always working to eliminate that which
    makes us uncomfortable or to identify the "right" donor to make the 
    operation successful. The goal being to provide a more beneficial life
    to to the benefactor and a feeling of success to the responsible
    parties. 
    
           HOW can we achieve good character ?????
    
         Through active participation in all aspects of our lives. As soon
    as we are able to recognize all of the inter-dependencies that help us
    to view our world globally and realize that all individuals contribute 
    significantly to any effort. I liken this to eating, whereby, if the 
    food looks, smells and tastes good it is with abandon that we consume it.
    We are more likely to lift the fork or spoon if we are pleased with the
    object on the plate. As with individuals we are more likely to respond 
    when individuals with good character, or character that most closely
    resembles our own are a part of what we are doing. 
    
    
    No degree only experience to draw from and a lot of reading......DQ
      
        
    
    
     

	I KNOW a character....;')

	Mikki      
        
    
    
     

    re: .6 (Mikki-mouth)
    
         Oh, yeah?  Who would that be?
    
    ;-)
    Frederick
    

        .0
    
         Are you still out there ?
    
         Dq
    

    
    A previous note described "character" in far more detail that I can
    address right now...
    
    On the subject of integrity; I scuba dive with a captain who is older,
    wiser, a self-proclaimed curmudgeon, fickel, obnoxious, crude, direct,
    opinionated, etc., etc.
    
    However, he readily *admits* to possessing all of those character
    traits!  That, IMHO, is INTEGRITY.  As previously mentioned, I think
    Integrity is "doing what you say", of presenting your actions in a
    manner consistent with your beliefs.  
    
    And having a high degree of personal integrity is one individual's
    Character trait.
    
    Bob

    re: Bob
    
         Don't make the mistake of confusing a character *trait*
    with character.  What you said is valid, and I won't argue with
    it.  Again, character has to do with self-esteem, which in turn
    is one of the six components which lead up to self-realization.
    
         *Being* a character is not the same as *having* character.
    
    Frederick