I'm thinking today about character and how important it is in our dealings and relationships with others.

If our character is compromised, it is difficult to establish trust whether in our personal relationships or our business.

I think Zig Ziglar had it right when he said, "If people like you they'll listen to you, but if they trust you they'll do business with you."

If we are selfish and think only of ourselves, we will not discover deep and meaningful relationships. It is when we reach out and touch the lives of others in significant ways that others are able to see our true character.

As Frederick L. Collins said, "There are two types of people - those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am!' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'"

The greatest definition of character was expressed by Jackson Browne, when he said, "Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking."

I can think of no better illustration than the story of an enthusiastic, but somewhat unscrupulous salesman, who was waiting to see the purchasing agent of an engineering firm. The salesman was there to submit his own company's bid for a particular job. He couldn't help but notice, however, that a competitor's bid was on the agent's desk, but unfortunately, it was covered with a can of juice. The temptation to see the quote was just too much, so the salesman lifted the can. His heart sank as he watched thousands of BB's come out of the bottomless can and scatter across the floor. He could not recover - his true self had been exposed.

Our character "is what we do when no one is looking."