Leadership starts with yourself, with who you are...your character. What we are on the inside eventually makes its way to the "outside" for all the world to see and react to, affecting our effectiveness in influencing others. How often do you take the time to reflect on integrity of your character? Today I will share some questions to help you evaluate who you really are.

Several years ago, I participated in a leadership development program focusing on becoming a person of influence. Within one of the lessons was a set of questions to be used in daily reflection as a self exam for exemplary character. I've not found a better list since.

Be warned, these questions pack quite a punch if you take them seriously! If you are up to the challenge, read on and then consider using these questions daily to take your character "pulse".

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did I live out my faith or my core values today?
8. When did I last encourage someone?
9. Did I get to bed on time and get up on time?
10. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
11. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
12. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
13. Is the way I'm spending my spare time contributing to my overall life purpose?
14. Am I proud? Would other people see me as proud or arrogant?
15. Am I thankful I am not like other people (an indicator of pride)?
16. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am I doing about it?
17. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

Character counts. The better people we are the better our people can become.

Now I'd like to know what you thought of these questions. How would you make the list better? Share your thoughts in a comment!

*Source: Adapted from John Wesley's Holy Club, Introspective questions