The City implemented the character initiative with city employees and the community in 2002. Over the past 15 years each month’s focus has impacted me in different ways, some big and some small, but one thing I have discovered is there is always something to learn. The character trait of Boldness was one of the first traits to completely change my way of thinking about a character trait.

As someone who tends to be a more reserved, there was a time I thought boldness meant I had the courage to tell someone exactly what was on my mind. I believed if I was unhappy with someone I needed the boldness or courage to really let them know about it. I envied those who had the ability to freely express how unhappy they were when expectations weren’t met. What changed my thinking was realizing that boldness is not about having the courage to give someone a piece of my mind, or expressing my frustration in the moment. Boldness is about having the courage and the confidence that what I have to say or do is true, right and just.

True boldness isn’t brash, impetuous, or impulsive, and boldness is not a synonym for bullying. True boldness balances characteristics of persuasiveness, compassion, and cautiousness. Exhibiting the character trait of boldness may require us to overcome a fear, real or imagined, it requires us to have confidence in honest assessments, and it requires us to know the truth and to speak with humility. We can use boldness to persuade others that our decisions or our actions are right, while at the same time, consider how others will see and hear us when we are presenting our ideas and decisions, choosing appropriate words so not to offend anyone, developing the best approach to a situation, and realizing that there is a time and place for everything.

As a Character Council, City Council, and community, it takes boldness to put and keep a character initiative in place. Over the years the complaints about the character focus have become fewer and fewer. When I assumed the role of character coordinator in 2003, without fail, at least one complaint a month was received and often multiple complaints a month. Over time that has reduced to one or two complaints a year, if even that many. Complaints ranged from telling us to stop spending tax dollars on silly signs, to telling us they do not agree with these views and that very few free Americans would, to stop the stupidity, and that they were embarrassed to be a resident of Owasso.

It takes boldness to hold up a standard that we know none of us can achieve, but believe to be a worthy goal that can make a difference in each of our lives, the lives of our family, and our community as a whole.

Originally published in the Owasso Reporter