Character Quote by Suzanne Bates
“We must reflect a holistic view of the leader, in three dimensions, character, substance and style. Character consists of the qualities that win trust whereas substance consists of the qualities that earn us credibility; style is the dimension of execution - getting others to get things done.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Leadership Gap, 2015
Effective leadership blends trust‑building character, credible substance, and decisive style to achieve results.
In simple terms: Good leaders mix trust, credibility, and execution.
Key Takeaway
Balance trust, expertise, and action.
Themes
leadership
trust
credibility
execution
Mood
analytical
motivational
Type
professional
strategic
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- performance reviews
- project launches
Key Concepts
character development
organizational behavior
strategic management
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspect of your leadership needs strengthening?
- How can you align character with execution?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on style can mask lack of substance.
