At the University of Hong Kong, CEDARS and Faith and Global Engagement are investing in the next generation through character and leadership development. As part of this initiative, Prof Edward Brooks, Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project, delivered a public lecture on why character is at the heart of great leadership on 5 October 2023.
He showed how research points to integrity, courage, humility, and wisdom as the qualities people most value in leaders—and how character can be intentionally cultivated through daily practice, role models, and friendships of mutual accountability.
Around the world, leading institutions are now placing greater emphasis on character in leadership, recognising that when leaders lead with character, it helps to deepen trust and contributes to the flourishing of society. That is why the Oxford Character Project’s mission—to research, teach, and form leaders of character—is more urgent than ever.
Some key insights from the talk include:
- Character drives impact – People trust leaders with courage, integrity, and wisdom, not just skills
- Culture can be shaped – While context influences behaviour, leaders with strong character have the power to shape flourishing cultures.
- Character can be developed – Through practice, exemplars, and friendships of accountability, leadership virtues can be strengthened.
Good leadership is never only about being effective, it is about being ethical — “competence is nothing without character at its heart”.
Watch the full lecture video to see why this work matters.