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Define Character! Does it matter?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Crown Key Realty, Inc; Tracy & Mountain House Sales and Property Management 01490605

The easy answer is "Yes of course it matters."  The bigger question is how many of us have it.  True Character.

My definition of Character - is "what do you do when NO ONE IS WATCHING?"  Do you take the high road or cut corners?

I've defined character over the years for my children with a family motto... perhaps the Real Estate community should adopt it.

It goes like this, "You can't always be perfect, you CAN always be HONORABLE."

Do what's your definition of Character?

Comments (12)

Mike Wong
Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

That is an interesting definition of character Susan.

Character is a reflection of our values, no matter who is looking our values determine our behavior in public or private. Of course KW agents hold ourselves to a higher standard!

Aug 01, 2008 07:26 PM
Doreen McPherson
Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ
Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

The truth is, we only think no one is watching.  It's easy to fool ourselves. 

Aug 01, 2008 07:34 PM
Pam Jank
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Your Coeur d'Alene & North Idaho Real Estate Pro

There is an old and wise saying. ... Do on to others as you would have others do on to you.  If everyone practiced that.... it would be such a better world to live in.

Aug 01, 2008 08:09 PM
PJ S
Home Inspection Specialist - Los Angeles, CA
  • Character is what is inside of us that responds to life.
  • Our responses come from our habits that we have learned and developed.
  • When we refer to a specific person's character we are concerned with his or her personality, what kind of person he or she is, down deep, on the inside.
  • Everyone has character, but not everyone has good character.
  • A person has good character because he/she knows the difference between right and wrong, and strives to do what is right for the right reasons.
  • Character affects every area of our behavior and every relationship.
  • We do not show our true character by rare acts of moral courage.
  • We do not show our true character by single acts of bad behavior.
  • True character is shown by our every day attitudes and behavior.
  • True character is shown by how we treat people who cannot help us or hurt us.
Aug 01, 2008 08:11 PM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Frankly, I think it is something your born with but that must also be nurtured and built on as your (hopefully) grow.

Thanks for the post!

Aug 02, 2008 01:17 AM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

I think I'd have to disagree with you, Russell. I believe character is something each one of has the potential to have. That potential can either be nurtured and brought to bear on our lives by those who influence us at a very early age or it can be squashed and pushed back, stunting it's growth, by those who have none of their own. Character is what lies at the heart of a person. This is why Paul asked for the character of Christ. I imagine Paul had a great character, but it wasn't eneough. He had to work at it and fight that battle daily in order to overcome his flesh. His resolve was to be a better man and he held onto that resolve, no matter what happened around him, in order to become more like Christ.

I believe character is how hard you are willing to fight to achieve that goal, to do what is right, to be more like Christ.

Aug 02, 2008 02:49 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Doing the right thing ALL the time. Character is defined when a client comes back to you for the 4th time to purchase a home. You must have character to do that.

Aug 02, 2008 03:25 AM
Susan Goulding
Crown Key Realty, Inc; Tracy & Mountain House Sales and Property Management - Tracy, CA
Northern CA - Tracy & Mountain House Real Estate
MIKE; after a day with Mo On Thursday you bet we are held to a higher standardm Doreen; thanks for your insights PAM: do unto others... So easy to say so difficult to do consistently PJS; I love your last point... Its what you show people who can't hurt or help you. RUSSELL; I think we are all born with it life may effect how it develops. ROBERT; Paul learned some valuable lessons about character, isn't it awesome HE shared those with us?
Aug 02, 2008 03:47 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Susan, I like your definition of character.  I would say that mine is living according to values all the time and not worrying if someone may or may not be watching.

Aug 02, 2008 04:33 AM
Pamela Ann Northup
The Serenity Team Keller Williams - San Lorenzo, CA

Character-Do the RIGHT thing!!!

We appreciate the topic for Keller Culture Group

Pamela and Anthony  The Serenity Team  www.activerain.com/aarsondi

Aug 03, 2008 01:28 PM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.

Susan - I like your definition, "what do you do when NO ONE IS WATCHING." I would probably add "and there's no chance of getting caught."

Aug 07, 2008 10:51 PM
Anna Matsunaga
Team Momentum Keller Williams Realty Tacoma - Lakewood, WA
Seller specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert

I love it, this is a good way to work and live! 

Aug 25, 2008 01:59 AM