A good career plus a positive character produces excellence.

I've seen people go for seminars, workshops, presentations and conferences for career development to possibly be the best they can be in their field of expertise. This without saying includes me. We want to learn all there is to learn; new developments, knowledge and skill and the technology newly invented in our profession. These are all good ventures because we have to stay updated in our ever changing and developing society. Inventions and developments evolve almost on a daily basis and we have to keep up with the rate of development to remain valuable.

However, take a look at this scenario:

Elvis was admitted in the hospital for sickle cell crises on a Friday afternoon. He's been well taken care of by health personnel and after two days of being admitted in the ER, his doctor says he'll be watched and then discharged the next day. Meanwhile, there's this ward in the hospital where critically ill patients are kept and Elvis has heard a lot of negative stories about this ward. So later after Elvis was reviewed by his doctor, another health care professional comes in to his room and says "get ready you're going to be transferred to another ward". Elvis tried to inform the health professional that he'll be discharged by the following day but the health worker just snubs him and leaves. 

I remember sometime ago, we called this technician to come and help us fix our ceiling at home. He came as agreed and told us he needed to put up a scaffold to enable him do the job and this also meant that our door had to be left wide open, even while we slept at night, till the job was completed. We agreed with the hope that the work will be finished in no time, at most one week. The work lingered longer than we expected into the third week. Meanwhile the technician was never there for the work. He only brought the people who worked with him and then gave reasons why he had to go. So it's either his child was sick or he had to go for school run and he never came back. One day, when we became very worried about the security of our home, we called him and he was just screaming and scolding us for calling him. Anyway, we had to call the person that recommended him to call him and plead with him to come and finish up what he started. 

My point is, we most at times have incredible knowledge about the career path which we have chosen to work in but without a good character, we are not yet excellent in it. Imagine going to a bank to make enquirers about loans or mortgage and you are referred to this banker who has wealth of knowledge on what you need but then he/she is harsh in giving you the information you asked for. What are you more likely to think about once you leave the bank? Also, if you're a teacher with over three decades of experience but without the right character and conduct towards your students, your character is going to be remembered more than the knowledge you intended to instill in others. Why? Your character (involuntary) over shadows your knowledge and expertise (voluntary).

In Elviss' case, the health must have considered some factors before saying the patient will be moved but she wasn't able to communicate properly and also allay whatever anxiety or difficulty the patient had understanding things from her point of view. 

As an Engineer, you have renowned knowledge of buildings and construction as a whole. However, if you lack the character needed to carry your client along in the work and explain or answer his/her questions, you risk your contract if you've not been paid fully or more so the opportunity of being called upon next time for a similar job.

In essence, you can know your job very well more than everybody else in the room. But with the wrong character, you lose the opportunity to show case your ability.

A good character introduces love, empathy, hope, joy and other great values into what you do. It opens you up to more opportunities and paves way for you even into a position you never thought of occupying. It makes even those who don't like you to be at peace with you. It brings excellence in your work giving you a better name and identity amidst your colleagues.

So while you engage in career development, take time to also partake in personal character development. This is because you can only be excellent when you have a good character working hand in hand with you in your career.

Thank You!

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