29 People Who Taught Us Life Lessons In Courage, Integrity And Leadership

The 29 profiles you will read in Robert L. Dilenschneider’s new book, Character, are about people who are exceptional exemplars of character. They’re inspirational because they used their abilities at their highest levels to work for causes they believed in. Because of character, they influenced the world for good.

The dictionary defines “character” as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual, the distinctive nature of something, the quality of being individual in an interesting or unusual way, strength and originality in a person’s nature, and a person’s good reputation.

“But beyond these definitions, we know that character is manifested in leadership, innovation, resilience, change, courage, loyalty, breaking barriers, and more,” explains Robert (Bob), “Character drives the best traits in our society, such as honesty, integrity, leadership, and transparency, and it drives others to exhibit those qualities.”

Profiled in the book are individuals in fields as diverse as politics, religion, medicine, business, sports, entertainment, and the military, including:

Nelson Mandela
Eleanor Roosevelt
Susan B. Anthony
Stephen Hawking
Lou Gehrig
Winston Churchill
Margaret Chase Smith
Mother Theresa
Arthur Ashe
Margaret Thatcher
Bill Russell
Jimmy Stewart
Steve Jobs
Florence Nightingale
Edith Cavell
Walt Disney
Colin Powell
John McCain
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
Frederick Banting
Emmeline Pankhurst
Katherine Graham
Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the book’s Chapter Eleven Bob summarizes the character and leadership lessons learned from each profiled person. Some of my favorite takeaways from those lessons are:

It’s best to lead by example, and that example should be consistent.
Don’t take yourself seriously all the time. Self-deprecation can be a tool to express a resilient character.
Think beyond the immediate. There are generally bigger-picture implications of your actions.
Leaders inspire by displaying courage, both in word and deed.
Courage is sometimes knowing when to stop.
Leadership emerges when times are hardest.
Loyalty comes from trust. Trust comes from honesty.
See the possibilities, not the limitations.

“If you try to emulate some of the people you’ve read about in the book, here’s a piece of advice: Don’t try to emulate them all. Nobody can do that,” says Bob. “It’s better to pick one or two of these heroes and heroines in your particular area of interest or expertise and try to be like them.”

“Also, I hope you’ll go back and jot down a few stories or quotations that especially moved you and pass them along to family and friends and bear them in mind as you get on with your career and life,” adds Bob.

Robert L. Dilenschneider

Bob shares these additional insights with us:

Question: Of all the many people you featured in your book, how did you choose the individuals you profiled?

Bob: I wanted to highlight individuals who exemplified extraordinary character—people who faced significant adversity and still managed to lead with integrity, resilience, and courage.

The 29 individuals in Character come from diverse fields—politics, science, religion, business, sports, and the military—because leadership and strong character are not confined to one area of life. Figures like Nelson Mandela, Florence Nightingale, and Walt Disney all overcame obstacles, yet their defining traits—whether resilience, innovation, or loyalty—shaped history in meaningful ways. My goal was to provide real-world examples that future generations can look to for guidance and inspiration.

Question: If a leader can master only one- or two-character qualities from the nine discussed in the book, which do you recommend and why?

Bob: If I had to choose just two, I’d say courage and integrity.

Courage is essential because every great leader faces moments of uncertainty, doubt, and challenge. Take Winston Churchill—his steadfast leadership during World War II helped steer Britain through one of its darkest times. Courage allows leaders to make difficult decisions, stand firm in their convictions, and face adversity without faltering.

Integrity is just as critical. Without it, leadership crumbles. John McCain’s unwavering commitment to his values, even under the harshest conditions, earned him the respect of both allies and adversaries. Integrity builds trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership.

Mastering these two traits provides a leader with the moral compass to make the right decisions and the fortitude to carry them through.

Question: The Lessons section at the end of the book is so helpful. Why did you decide to include it?

Bob: I wanted Character to be more than just a collection of stories—it needed to be a practical guide. It’s easy to admire great leaders from afar, but the real value comes in applying their lessons to our own lives.

Throughout the book, I highlight the defining traits that shaped these individuals—whether it was Steve Jobs’ relentless innovation or Eleanor Roosevelt’s advocacy for human rights. The Lessons section distills these insights into actionable takeaways so that readers don’t just learn about leadership and character but actively work on strengthening their own.

My hope is that by reflecting on these lessons, readers will feel empowered to cultivate their own leadership qualities and make decisions that are rooted in strong character.

Question: How does self-awareness contribute to building character, and what steps can someone take to strengthen this skill?

Bob: Self-awareness is the foundation of character. A leader who truly understands their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations can make more principled decisions and lead with confidence.

One of the most important steps to strengthening self-awareness is reflection. Many of the individuals in my book, Colin Powell, for example, took time to analyze their experiences and learn from both their successes and failures. Another crucial step is seeking honest feedback—the best leaders aren’t afraid to ask for constructive criticism and adjust accordingly.

Understanding history also plays a role. Leaders like Václav Havel and Anwar Sadat understood the past and used that knowledge to shape a better future.

Lastly, practicing mindfulness, being aware of how you respond to challenges—can help you act with intention rather than impulse.

By developing self-awareness, leaders ensure that their actions align with their values, reinforcing their character and the trust others place in them.

Question: If a reader could take one action today to start embodying the lessons from your book, what would it be?

Bob: Start small but be intentional—pick one character trait from the book that resonates with you and commit to practicing it every day.

For example, if resilience stands out to you, study how Nelson Mandela endured 27 years in prison without losing hope and apply that mindset when facing your own challenges. If integrity is your focus, think about how Eleanor Roosevelt stayed true to her principles despite opposition, and make choices that reflect your own values.

Leadership isn’t built overnight, but the conscious effort to practice good character, even in small ways, leads to real transformation. The key is to act—because developing character is not about what we say, but what we do.

___

Robert L. Dilenschneider formed The Dilenschneider Group in October 1991. Headquartered in New York, Miami, and Chicago, the Firm provides strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies and leading families and individuals around the world, with experience in fields ranging from mergers and acquisitions and crisis communications to marketing, government affairs, and international media.

Thank you to the book’s publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book.

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