Seven Strategies of Character... | Emerald Publishing

Seven Strategies of Character Development	How the GLI Integrated Them
Habituation through practice	Habituation exercises such gratitude journaling and intentionally cultivating a virtue over a month Focused reflection on everyday contexts where character can be habituated and leadership can be practiced in informal settings Introduction of particular practices (reflection, friendship, and accountability) Opportunities for participants to reflect on prior practice.
Reflection on personal experience	Reflection questions in recruiting events and the application Reflection exercises to begin discussions of leadership and the four focal virtues Opportunities for communal reflection to develop friendships and bonds of trust
Engagement with virtuous exemplars	Reflection and conversation on personal exemplars Readings from or about historical exemplars Exemplars in the arts (including portraits, museums, plays, novels, films, and musical performances) Guest speakers Two-tiered mentoring structure, with professional mentors and staff mentors Modeling by facilitators
Dialogue that increases virtue literacy	Small dinner discussions with visiting speakers rather than lectures One-on-one mentoring meetings Regular dialogues on leadership and the focal virtues, structured by readings and conversation that highlights various aspects of a virtue
Awareness of situational variables	Video and readings about “occupational hazards” and institutional incentives Group discussion of occupational hazards in particular professional fields Readings and group discussion of practices to become aware of personal tendencies and biases and resist or reform institutional cultures A visiting speaker who discusses how occupational hazards can distort character
Moral reminders	Explicit focus on expectations and norms in recruiting events and the application Extended program of readings, discussions, and speakers rather than one-off retreats or programs
Friendships of mutual accountability	Access to a learning community with shared values and opportunities for influence and emulation Informal opportunities and meals to foster friendship among participants Intentional discussion of friendship and mutual accountability as practices of leadership Opportunities for participants to practice vulnerability and mutual accountability in mentoring meetings and group discussions

Seven Strategies of Character Development	How the GLI Integrated Them
Habituation through practice	Habituation exercises such gratitude journaling and intentionally cultivating a virtue over a month Focused reflection on everyday contexts where character can be habituated and leadership can be practiced in informal settings Introduction of particular practices (reflection, friendship, and accountability) Opportunities for participants to reflect on prior practice.
Reflection on personal experience	Reflection questions in recruiting events and the application Reflection exercises to begin discussions of leadership and the four focal virtues Opportunities for communal reflection to develop friendships and bonds of trust
Engagement with virtuous exemplars	Reflection and conversation on personal exemplars Readings from or about historical exemplars Exemplars in the arts (including portraits, museums, plays, novels, films, and musical performances) Guest speakers Two-tiered mentoring structure, with professional mentors and staff mentors Modeling by facilitators
Dialogue that increases virtue literacy	Small dinner discussions with visiting speakers rather than lectures One-on-one mentoring meetings Regular dialogues on leadership and the focal virtues, structured by readings and conversation that highlights various aspects of a virtue
Awareness of situational variables	Video and readings about “occupational hazards” and institutional incentives Group discussion of occupational hazards in particular professional fields Readings and group discussion of practices to become aware of personal tendencies and biases and resist or reform institutional cultures A visiting speaker who discusses how occupational hazards can distort character
Moral reminders	Explicit focus on expectations and norms in recruiting events and the application Extended program of readings, discussions, and speakers rather than one-off retreats or programs
Friendships of mutual accountability	Access to a learning community with shared values and opportunities for influence and emulation Informal opportunities and meals to foster friendship among participants Intentional discussion of friendship and mutual accountability as practices of leadership Opportunities for participants to practice vulnerability and mutual accountability in mentoring meetings and group discussions

Note: GLI = the Oxford Global Leadership Initiative, an initiative of the Oxford Character Project.