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Moral Heroes and Exemplars: Character Strengths at the Heart of Moral Leadership

Publication Authors: 
Anne Colby
Publication Year: 
2014

This paper will report on a study of three character strengths or virtues that support moral engagement and contribution in both ordinary people and moral leaders: faith, inner truthfulness, and humility. The report will describe analyses of extensive case material on six 20th century moral leaders, articulating the many ways the three focal virtues (and occasionally their absence) played critical roles in these leaders' lives. The presentation will spell out the implications of this research for thriving individuals and for the moral leaders who are so important in creating and ensuring thriving.