In a world obsessed with image, character is what keeps you from falling when the spotlight shifts.
That?s the truth behind John Maxwell?s Law of the Ladder: Character growth determines the height of your personal growth.
The Higher You Climb, the More It Shows
You can climb fast with talent, connections, or charisma?but if your character?s weak, you?ll fall just as fast. The higher you go, the more people can see the cracks.
I?ve seen it in leadership, business, and life: some people focus on climbing the ladder, others focus on strengthening it. Only one group stays standing.
Character Counts
Back in 7 Life Lessons from the Trailer Park, I said it plain: reputation is what they think you are; character is who you are when the room clears out.
Growing up, I saw both kinds of people. Some talked big but folded under pressure. Others didn?t say much?they just kept their word and did what was right. Those were the ones who earned my respect.
The Marine Corps only reinforced that lesson. They don?t care how smooth you talk. They care if you show up, follow through, and hold the line when it?s tough.
Character is built in the moments no one applauds.
Why Character Fuels Growth
Here?s the thing: character growth always precedes personal growth. You can?t lead people where your integrity hasn?t already gone.
Think about it?
- Integrity keeps you steady. It?s what helps you sleep at night when no one?s there to pat you on the back.
- Humility keeps you teachable. Pride blocks growth faster than failure ever will.
- Responsibility keeps you grounded. Character doesn?t make excuses; it makes adjustments.
When character grows, everything else rises with it?relationships, influence, confidence, peace.
Building Stronger Rungs
If your character is the ladder, each rung is a choice. Miss enough of them, and your climb becomes dangerous.
Here?s how to strengthen it:
- Keep promises?even small ones. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds influence.
- Tell the truth, especially when it?s hard. Integrity is forged in uncomfortable moments.
- Take responsibility instead of pointing fingers. Growth happens when you own it, not when you deflect it.
- Practice humility. The best leaders never forget what it felt like to start at the bottom.
Good character isn?t a title?it?s a track record.
My Ladder Moment
There was a season in my life when the climb looked good from the outside?new opportunities, visible success?but inside, I knew some rungs were loose. I was saying yes to too much, stretching myself thin, and letting small cracks slide because they didn?t show yet.
Eventually, the cracks caught up. That moment forced me to rebuild?not my image, but my integrity.
If the foundation of your ladder isn?t solid, every step up gets riskier.
Make It Count
Your growth will never outpace your character. You can fake it for a while, but sooner or later, life tests the strength of your ladder.
So today, before climbing higher, take a look down. Check your rungs. Tighten what?s loose. Repair what?s weak.
Because talent may get you there?but character?s what keeps you there.
? Next week: Law #10 ? The Law of the Rubber Band: Growth Stops When You Lose the Tension Between Where You Are and Where You Could Be.