‘Enhancing Productivity: The Case of the Uncommon Worker’ Full Speech by Rev. Bernard Arde-Acquah (5)

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Final Part

The sum of the virtues above – Truth, Discipline, Order and Responsibility defines the culture and image of a people or organization Character is Important

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Pro 22:1

Character is our identity – and defines who we are as a people.

Sometimes there is a major disconnect between what we represent and who we truly are. You build INTEGRITY when your character matches your works. Depending on how ethically groomed we are, we may bear positive or negative character traits.

Education with character creates a work environment which supports growth and productivity, because in such an environment, truth, Godly work ethics, discipline, and great

Positive attitudes are known and practised. The greatest asset of any worker or leader is not only his academic qualifications but the earned trust and confidence of his employers and followers.

Some of the greatest people in the world are remembered today because of the display of a strong moral character even in the face of danger, deprivation, and squalor.

‘In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act’ (George Orwell). In these days when dishonesty in various forms seems to be the acceptable norm in our generation, to live a life of integrity can be seen to be subversive! Will the true disciples have the courage to still follow their Lord in such times?

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:11-16 NIV)”

People who lose their way are not necessarily bad people; rather, they lose their moral bearings, often yielding to seductions in their paths.

Very few people go into leadership roles to cheat or do evil, yet we all have the capacity for actions we deeply regret unless we stay grounded.

• Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd resigned for submitting false expense reports concerning his relationship with a contractor.
• US Senator John Ensign resigned after covering up an extramarital affair with monetary payoffs.
• Lee B. Farkas, former chairman of giant mortgage lender Taylor,

Bean & Whitaker, in April was found guilty for his role in one of the largest bank fraud schemes in American history.

These talented leaders were highly successful in their respective fields and at the peak of their careers. This makes their behaviour especially perplexing, raising questions about what caused them to lose their way.

• Mike Tyson, born in 1966, an American professional boxer who became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, was known for his explosive power and quick knockouts.

Tyson dominated boxing in the late 1980s. In the 1990s his career

was sidetracked by personal problems and criminal charges, including a rape conviction and imprisonment. While all men are enjoined to live righteously, people in authority must be stricter in resisting temptation.

Power is a potential aphrodisiac and the attention of an adoring following can easily become a temptation for the leader to satisfy the flesh.

As you climb higher up the social and corporate ladder and become more prosperous and influential, draw closer to accountability figures and purpose to maintain a righteous living.

British writer and politician, Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859), said: “The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out.”

It has been often said that what would ultimately destroy a man going to high places in life is not really the enemies that are waiting for him there, but the character that followed him there.

Many people take character for granted, while overzealously tuning on into their spiritual mode. We have become so spiritually in tune through prayers that we neglect the place of character in our relationship with people.

Many are actually ‘heavenly’ bound, but with no earthly relevance. You can speak with spiritual eloquence, pray in public, and maintain a holy appearance, but it is your behaviour and character that will actually trigger the manifestation of all that God has for you. If truthfully this country were being run by the Christian faith, then this would be a great indictment on our justice system. Countries like Dubai and Saudi Arabia and China have done much better

The essential principles is to treat people as you will want to be treated. Treat people with respect. Treat strangers with courtesy. Never look down on anybody. God can use anyone to change your story.

Abigail Van Buren said:

The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

The way we treat people we think cannot help or hurt us, like housekeepers, waiters, and secretaries, tells more about our character than how we treat people we think are important.

How do you treat people? One of the most impressive architectural feats and the greatest military defence project in history is the Great Wall of China.

In 1987, UNESCO designated the Great Wall a World Heritage site, and a popular controversial claim that emerged in the 20th century holds that it is the only man-made structure that is visible from space. Originally conceived by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the 3rd Century B.C. as a means of preventing incursions from Mongolians and barbarian nomads into the Chinese Empire, the wall is one of the most extensive construction projects ever completed.

History has it that when the ancient Chinese decided to live in peace, they made the Great Wall of China; they thought no one could climb it due to its height. During the first 100 years of its existence, the Chinese were invaded thrice and every time, the hordes of enemy infantry had no need of penetrating or climbing over the wall, because each time, they bribed the guards and came through the doors.

The Chinese built the wall but forgot the character- building of the wall-guards. Though the Great Wall has over the years become a powerful symbol of the country’s enduring strength and spirit, but it has actually been a good reminder to the Chinese of the superiority of human character.

The Chinese realized much later that the best defense against the enemy is not a fortified wall, but a fortified character. Thus, the building of human character comes before the building of anything else.

Work seriously on your character and attitude towards life. I say emphatically that character is not optional; it is sacrosanct to the future. No matter where you place prayers, character matters.

The greatest fraud in life is religion without character. A man without character is recklessly alive.

• William Shakespeare captured it succinctly when he said: “The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”
• Peter Schutz, the former chief executive officer of Porsche said: “HIRE CHARACTER; TRAIN SKILLS.”

Back in the days when Germany was divided, a huge wall separated East and West Berlin. One day, some people in East Berlin took a truckload of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side.

The people of West Berlin could have done the same thing, but they did not. Instead, they took a truckload of canned goods, bread, milk and other provisions, and neatly stacked it on the East Berlin side.

On top of this stack, they placed the sign: “EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS”. How very true! You can only give what you have. What do you have inside of you?

Is it hate or love? Violence or peace? Death or life? Capacity to build our capacity to destroy? What have you acquired over the years? Team spirit or pull-down architecture?

“EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS” Thank You.