Competence And Character

I subscribe to Mark Manson’s( author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck) Weekly Newsletter, where he shares some thought-provoking ideas. In a recent newsletter, Mark Manson explained the difference between competence and character in this way:

Competence is how good you are when there is something to gain. Character is how good you are when there is nothing to gain.

People will reward you for competence. But people will only love you for your character.

To me, success is a combination of what you achieve and who you become in the process. Manson’s differentiation between competence and character is so apt. While our competence brings us external rewards, our character helps us build deep, meaningful connections and lead fulfilling lives.