Robert L. Dilenschneider is the author of the new book Character: Life Lessons in Courage, Integrity, and Leadership. His many other books include The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence. He is the founder and CEO of The Dilenschneider Group.
Q: What inspired you to write Character, and how would you define that quality?
A: I wrote Character to spotlight what I believe is the most important trait for effective leadership, progress, and lasting impact—character. In today's world, where disinformation and divisiveness often dominate, I wanted to provide a blueprint for integrity, resilience, and purpose through stories of individuals who have made a difference.
Character, to me, is the mental and moral foundation that shapes a person's actions and decisions. It's demonstrated through leadership, innovation, resilience, and courage, especially in adversity.
Q: How did you choose the people to include in the book?
A: The individuals profiled were chosen because their lives offer invaluable lessons about character. To show that character qualities are universal, I aimed to cover a broad spectrum of fields—politics, science, religion, entertainment, sports, and more.
These people, famous like Nelson Mandela or less widely known like Edith Cavell, exemplified qualities like integrity, tenacity, and courage, often overcoming significant obstacles to leave their mark on history.
I also wanted to ensure that their stories provide actionable insights for readers, not just admiration.
Q: Of the various people you write about, are there a few that stand out for you?
A: It's hard to single out just a few because each person contributed something unique. That said:
Nelson Mandela stands out for his resilience and grace after enduring 27 years of imprisonment, using forgiveness as a tool for national healing.
Mother Teresa demonstrated unwavering commitment to serving the poorest of the poor, embodying humility and selflessness.
Walt Disney showed incredible tenacity and imagination, turning setbacks into opportunities and creating a legacy of joy and inspiration.
Each of these individuals provides a powerful lens through which we can examine what it means to lead with character.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: I hope readers walk away inspired by the fact that character is not something you are born with—it’s something you cultivate. Through these stories, I want readers to see that their own lives can embody courage, integrity, and leadership, no matter their circumstances.
My goal is to provide readers with a guide to developing their character and to encourage them to lead by example in their personal and professional lives. The lessons in this book are timeless and more relevant than ever in today’s complex world.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m focused on continuing my work with The Dilenschneider Group, advising individuals and organizations on strategic leadership and communication.
I’m also exploring ways to further disseminate the lessons from Character, including speaking engagements, interviews, and collaborations with educators and leaders. I believe fostering discussions about character can ignite meaningful change in individuals and society.
The next book project will be about Respect.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Yes, the stories in Character are not just about the individuals themselves but also about the values and qualities that unite us all. We live in a world that desperately needs leaders with courage and integrity, and the examples in this book can serve as a guide for future generations.
As I say in the foreword, “If you allow yourself to be influenced by even one of these stories, you will be further ahead in the game of life.”
Let me also emphasize that character is not about perfection. None of the individuals profiled were flawless. But their lives teach us that setbacks, adversity, and mistakes are opportunities for growth and resilience.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Robert L. Dilenschneider.
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