--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Keep your character several steps ahead…" description: "\"Keep your character several steps ahead of your talent\" — Jeff Henderson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg" --- # Keep your character several steps ahead of your talent ![“Keep your character several steps ahead of your talent” quote by Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg) > “Keep your character several steps ahead of your talent” [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates staying ahead of innate talent by developing character and strategic foresight. **In simple terms:** Character precedes talent. Key Takeaway Cultivate character before relying on talent. Themes leadership character strategy growth Mood reflective aspirational Type leadership self‑help When to use this quote - career planning - team building - personal development - entrepreneurship Key Concepts integrity vision self‑improvement Questions to Reflect On - What character traits will you develop? - How can you anticipate future challenges? A Different Perspective Talent alone may not compensate for weak character. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) ## Related quotes > [Pay no attention to those who talk behind your back,it only means that you're two steps ahead of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pay-no-attention-to-those-who-talk-behind-your-back-it-only-means/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Forward-thinking means to focus on the future, even a few steps ahead, to build the long-term prosperity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-zhu/forward-thinking-means-to-focus-on-the-future-even-a-few-steps-ahead/) [Pearl Zhu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-zhu/) > [Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back, it simply means you are two steps ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/pay-no-mind-to-those-who-talk-behind-your-back-it-simply-means-you/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [Don't worry about the people who talk behind your back, it only means that you are two steps ahead of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-worry-about-the-people-who-talk-behind-your-back-it-only-means/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Remember, I am always 12 steps ahead..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silvia-flores/remember-i-am-always-12-steps-ahead/) Silvia Flores > [ If people talk about you behind your back, obviously you're steps ahead of them :\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-people-talk-about-you-behind-your-back-obviously-you-re-steps/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't listen to the people who talk behind your back, your just two steps ahead of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-listen-to-the-people-who-talk-behind-your-back-your-just-two/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Remember, if people talk behind your back, it only that you are two steps ahead of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-flagg/remember-if-people-talk-behind-your-back-it-only-that-you-are-two/) [Fannie Flagg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-flagg/) > [I always say, and I truly believe this, that my work is three steps ahead of me. I have an idea for something and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-always-say-and-i-truly-believe-this-that-my-work-is-three-steps/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Behind every great man is no one. The woman is 3 steps ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/behind-every-great-man-is-no-one-the-woman-is-3-steps-ahead/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [People that talk behind you're back only means your two steps ahead! :P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-moores/people-that-talk-behind-you-re-back-only-means-your-two-steps-ahead-p/) [Sarah Moores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-moores/) > [Gotta stay two steps ahead of the haters. So I don't trip over their feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/gotta-stay-two-steps-ahead-of-the-haters-so-i-don-t-trip-over-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Sorry, that's unfair. Let me warn you. I want you to follow, because no matter what you think you might know, we will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-daniel-atlas/sorry-that-s-unfair-let-me-warn-you-i-want-you-to-follow-because-no/) J Daniel Atlas > [Being one step ahead makes you a leader Being fifty steps ahead could make you a martyr.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/being-one-step-ahead-makes-you-a-leader-being-fifty-steps-ahead-could/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you think two steps ahead, you forget what's important in the now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-andre-ter-stegen/if-you-think-two-steps-ahead-you-forget-what-s-important-in-the-now/) [Marc-Andre ter Stegen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-andre-ter-stegen/) ## More by Jeff Henderson > [We've got to build scale. 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Excellent strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/excellence-matters-excellent-people-excellent-vision-excellent/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [The solutions the non-profits are trying to provide aren't keeping pace with the problems they're trying to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/the-solutions-the-non-profits-are-trying-to-provide-aren-t-keeping/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Non-profits find the very best Who and put them on their Boards because they don't want to pay them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profits-find-the-very-best-who-and-put-them-on-their-boards/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [The people you listen to are a preview of the future you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/the-people-you-listen-to-are-a-preview-of-the-future-you/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [I want you to be a connoisseur of great questions? 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It's the most important, most valuable gift that God gave humans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/i-truly-feel-that-food-is-a-celebration-of-life-it-s-the-most/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Who is in your life asking you the tough questions?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/who-is-in-your-life-asking-you-the-tough-questions/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Fundraising requires looking someone eye-to-eye and say, "Will you help me" and don't say another thing. Just listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/fundraising-requires-looking-someone-eye-to-eye-and-say-will-you-help/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations. 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I am not among them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-schatz/anybody-who-thinks-that-they-should-lead-the-country-should-go-ahead/) [Brian Schatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-schatz/) > [If I have a problem with somebody, I go ahead and say what's on my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nico-hulkenberg/if-i-have-a-problem-with-somebody-i-go-ahead-and-say-what-s-on-my-mind/) [Nico Hulkenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nico-hulkenberg/) > [I once invested in a risky business. Quite a few people warned me not to do so, but I still went ahead and invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-rode/i-once-invested-in-a-risky-business-quite-a-few-people-warned-me-not/) [Gautam Rode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-rode/) > [“What lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us and ahead of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/what-lies-behind-us-is-nothing-compared-to-what-lies-within-us-and/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [In Life, We May Never Get The Same Opportunity Again, But There's Always Something Better Ahead...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/in-life-we-may-never-get-the-same-opportunity-again-but-there-s/) Pacifiersucker > [Makeup is only fun if it's occasional and capricious - just like it's a treat to have an empty day ahead, but it wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-coren-mitchell/makeup-is-only-fun-if-it-s-occasional-and-capricious-just-like-it-s-a/) [Victoria Coren Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-coren-mitchell/) > [There is no such thing as disposable time if you want to stay ahead of the game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-no-such-thing-as-disposable-time-if-you-want-to-stay-ahead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm the kind of guy who comes home and checks scores for everything. I'm a sports fan in general, so I pretty much keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-comes-home-and-checks-scores-for-everything-i/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [People are flying you places in business class. Everyone wants to take pictures of you and find out information about you. It's a freak-out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yolandi-visser/people-are-flying-you-places-in-business-class-everyone-wants-to-take/) [Yolandi Visser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yolandi-visser/) > [I wasn't putting my all into it and I was still managing to score goals, and that gave me something to dream about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gray/i-wasn-t-putting-my-all-into-it-and-i-was-still-managing-to-score/) [Andre Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gray/) > [There's no limit to what you can accomplish, but there's always someone one step ahead of you, so it's a constant uphill battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mary-stewart/there-s-no-limit-to-what-you-can-accomplish-but-there-s-always/) [Catherine Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mary-stewart/) > [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [I don't want to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-don-t-want-to-look-too-far-ahead/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [“one who takes the first step always remains one step ahead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabi-shaheen/one-who-takes-the-first-step-always-remains-one-step-ahead/) Rabi Shaheen > [I am not interested to sing in Bollywood. I sing for only those actors whom I admire. I sing free of cost for them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/i-am-not-interested-to-sing-in-bollywood-i-sing-for-only-those-actors/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) Browse all 1,773 Ahead quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Keep your character several steps ahead of your talent", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeff Henderson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead-of-your-talent/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ahead" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead-of-your-talent/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/jeff-henderson-20551_ahead_keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead_2497477.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Keep your character several steps ahead of your talent” — Jeff Henderson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeff Henderson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Keep your character several steps ahead...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead-of-your-talent/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/keep-your-character-several-steps-ahead-of-your-talent/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```