A manager once shared a story about two staff members. One was brilliant at his job but impossible to work with—arrogant, late, and quick to blame others. The other was average in skill but steady, honest, and reliable. When a promotion opened up, he chose the second person. “I can train skill,” he said. “I can’t train character overnight.”
Friend, you need to balance character and competence. Competence is your ability to deliver. It’s skill, knowledge, and discipline to get things done well (Proverbs 22:29). Without competence, your character never gets the chance to speak because you won’t be trusted with responsibility (Colossians 3:23).
Character is who you are when no one is watching. It is integrity, humility, honesty, and self-control (Proverbs 11:1). Competence without character creates a person who is dangerous with influence. David shepherded with integrity of heart and skilful hands. God pairs both on purpose (Psalm 78:72).
The danger is leaning too far one way. All competence and no character makes you successful but not trustworthy (Matthew 4:1-11). All character and no competence makes you sincere but ineffective. Jesus modelled both—He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).
Balancing both character and competence means you grow your skill and your heart at the same time (Philippians 1:9-10). Don’t wait until you are “good enough” to work on character. Don’t also assume being a good person is enough to ignore growth in your craft (James 3:13).
In the end, people follow competence, but they trust character (Proverbs 10:9). One opens doors, the other keeps the doors open. When both are present, you become someone God can promote, and people can depend on (Daniel 6:4). You cannot run safely and successfully on one leg.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria