The Top 5 Character Traits Every Board Member Should Have

Boards of directors are responsible for overseeing an organization’s strategy, ensuring accountability, and protecting the interests of stakeholders. Whether they govern corporations, non-profits, or public institutions, board members hold significant power in shaping decisions that impact the organization’s long-term success and reputation. This responsibility requires not only expertise and experience, but also sound character.

Character — the deeply ingrained traits that influence how individuals think, act, and lead — forms the foundation of effective board governance. It shapes how board members approach decision-making, interact with others, and navigate challenges. Traits like judgment, integrity, and accountability are critical for making sound decisions. In the high-pressure world of corporate governance, where the stakes are often critical, character becomes the differentiating factor between a board that thrives and one that falters.

The challenge, however, is that character is not as easily measured as technical competencies. Many boards overlook character when recruiting new members or evaluating current ones, focusing instead on skills, credentials, or past achievements. This oversight can lead to governance failures, poor decision-making, and cultural issues within the organization.

Based on insights from “Leader Character in Board Governance,”¹ this blog explores the five most important character traits that should guide structured, character-based recruitment and development processes for board members. These traits are not only essential for personal success, but also serve as the cornerstone for ethical and effective governance. By understanding and prioritizing these traits, boards can build a culture of trust, accountability, and resilience that positions their organizations for long-term success.

1. Judgment

Good judgment is foundational to sound decision-making. Board members face complex, high-stakes decisions, from navigating financial uncertainties to responding to ethical dilemmas. Strong judgment enables them to evaluate diverse perspectives, analyze risks, and choose paths that balance immediate needs with long-term sustainability.

Poor judgment can lead to strategic mistakes, reputational damage, or missed opportunities. Conversely, leaders with sound judgment ensure that decisions are aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and goals.

How to develop judgment: Board members can develop judgment through continuous learning, seeking diverse viewpoints, and practicing reflection on past decisions to identify what worked and what didn’t. To learn more, download SIGMA’s character development guide, Great Leaders Have Strong Judgment.

2. Integrity

Integrity is defined as holding oneself to a high moral standard and behaving consistently with ethical standards, even in difficult situations. Board members with integrity uphold ethical standards, honor commitments, and ensure that their actions are aligned with the organization’s values. Integrity also fosters trust among stakeholders, employees, and the public, strengthening the organization’s reputation.

In the absence of integrity, boards risk creating toxic cultures where unethical behavior goes unchecked, damaging the organization’s credibility and long-term prospects.

How to develop integrity: Cultivate integrity by adhering to ethical guidelines, promoting transparency in decision-making, and setting a personal example for others to follow. To learn more, download SIGMA’s character development guide, Great Leaders Act With Integrity.

3. Courage

Courage enables board members to face difficult situations head-on. Whether it’s challenging groupthink, addressing underperformance, or making decisions that may be unpopular but necessary, courage ensures that the board acts in the best interest of the organization.

Without courage, boards may fall into patterns of complacency or avoid making hard decisions, ultimately harming the organization’s progress and integrity.

How to develop courage: Practice courage by expressing concerns respectfully, encouraging open dialogue, and creating an environment where diverse perspectives and dissenting opinions are valued. To learn more, download SIGMA’s character development guide, Great Leaders Act With Courage.

4. Humility

Humility allows board members to recognize their limitations, listen to others, and seek input from diverse sources. Humble leaders value collaboration over ego and are open to feedback, which strengthens decision-making and builds trust within the boardroom.

Boards that lack humility may struggle with power imbalances or fail to incorporate diverse viewpoints, leading to poorer decisions and disengagement from key stakeholders.

How to strengthen it: Develop humility by actively seeking feedback, acknowledging mistakes, and embracing a mindset of lifelong learning and growth. To learn more, download SIGMA’s character development guide, Great Leaders Act With Humility.

5. Accountability

Accountability ensures that board members take ownership of their responsibilities and follow through on commitments. It also involves holding others accountable for their actions, creating a culture of responsibility across the organization.

Boards that embrace accountability set a tone of reliability and trustworthiness, both internally and externally. In contrast, a lack of accountability can lead to unfulfilled promises, reduced morale, and organizational inefficiencies.

How to strengthen it: Encourage accountability by setting clear expectations, monitoring progress on goals, and addressing issues transparently and constructively. To learn more, download SIGMA’s character development guide, Great Leaders Are Accountable.

A Powerful Tool to Assess and Develop Character

Character development goes beyond personal growth — it’s a cornerstone of organizational success. For boards of directors, investing in character-based selection and development is not just beneficial, but essential. The Leadership Character Insight Assessment (LCIA) offers a scientifically validated, structured approach to assessing and cultivating the five character dimensions highlighted above. With actionable insights for self-reflection, coaching, and mentoring, the LCIA empowers leaders to better understand their strengths and areas for growth. It helps align behaviors with the Leader Character Framework, fostering character-driven leadership. By focusing on key dimensions like judgment, integrity, and accountability, the LCIA enhances both leadership effectiveness and governance, building a robust foundation for organizational excellence.

3 Key Benefits of the LCIA:

• Enhance leadership development: The LCIA equips board members with a deeper understanding of their character strengths and areas for growth.
• Drive better decision-making: Through feedback and actionable resources, the LCIA supports improved judgment and ethical decision-making.
• Develop a culture of character: The LCIA provides a framework to initiate conversations and practices around character, embedding it as a core value in leadership and organizational culture.

The LCIA offers a structured approach to embedding character into leadership development, whether onboarding new board members or strengthening an existing team. Beyond the assessment itself, SIGMA provides an entire ecosystem of supporting resources, coaching, and related services that can be tailored to create a comprehensive character development program.

Start Building a Character-Driven Board Today

Judgment, integrity, courage, humility, and accountability are traits that define exceptional board members. These character traits not only enhance individual effectiveness, but also strengthen the governance and reputation of the entire organization. With tools like the Leadership Character Insight Assessment, your board can go beyond technical skills to develop the character needed for long-term success.

Don’t leave leadership to chance — make character your board’s competitive advantage. Complete the form below to learn how the LCIA can equip your board with actionable insights and a framework for lasting growth.

¹ Seijts, G.H., Byrne, A., Crossan, M.M., & Gandz, J. (2018). Leader character in board governance. Journal of Management and Governance, 23, 227-258.