What is it about those people who seem to be born leaders? They always seem to have the right answers and make decisions based on what’s best for the company as well as the individuals working for them. This quality is called character and according to former leaders of the military we all possess it and are capable of using it.

While many of us think that character consists of a good work ethic and an intelligent head on our shoulders, there seems to be more to the term. According to General Charles Krulak, former U.S. Marine commandant, making decisions that contribute to good character is a learned trait that we can all achieve. He maintains that it’s all about making the tough decisions that nobody wants to make and standing behind it.

Surprisingly enough, a defining factor of whether or not a person has good character is a leader’s ability to care for the troops. General Thomas Draude, former assistant commander of the First Marine Division in Desert Storm believes that sincerely sought out knowledge of your staff’s professional goals as well as their personal lives will inspire them to dedicate their efforts to you and your company.

It seems that whether you’re working for a Fortune 500 company or serving in the United States military the best way to encourage your people to work their way up through the ranks is to set yourself up as an individual who cares and inspires.