Character Counts contains brief biographical and reflective chapters about four remarkable world figures who not only withstood the extreme adversities of their offices and circumstances but flourished and grew under pressure to become people who made a difference in their times.

The author examines the various characteristics of integrity, explaining what each is, giving contemporary and biblical examples, and interpreting practical steps to develop that quality in our lives.

“I don’t know of a more important topic now than this, and I don’t know anyone more qualified to speak on it than James Merritt.” —Rick Warren, New York Times bestselling author, The Purpose Driven Life Stop Protecting Your Reputation. Start Building Your Character. In a world of social media snapshots and cable news sound bites, we’re often more concerned with our outer image than we are with our inner make up. But in the end, integrity trumps image. You can look good on the outside without being good on the inside. If you long to commit yourself to what matters most—the content of your character—join bestselling author James Merritt as he explores 13 overlooked traits that form the bedrock of a godly life and a good society. Along the way, you’ll encounter surprising role models—flawed people who failed spectacularly, overcame adversity, and went on to live lives worth imitating. In a world that has abandoned the virtues and values that matter, this book offers a clarion call to return to a simple message: Character still counts. It always has, and it always will.

The character traits of responsibility, one of the Six Pillars of Character defined by the Character Counts Coalition, are explained in this activity book designed for preschool-age children. Ideal for use during Character Counts Week in October. Features a tear-out poster and four-color illustrations.

How John Bogle built Vanguard and transformed the investment worldin his own words Jack Bogle remains one of the titans of the investment world and a hero to the independent investor, as renowned for his influence as he is respected for his accomplishments. Character Counts is the story of how Vanguard was born, why it has flourished, and what leadership principles and management practices fostered its development. Covering the period 19742001, the story is told through the dozens of potent and memorable speeches he has given to Vanguard crew members over the years, interspersed with a narrative that provides context and explanation. This "you are there" approach provides new insights into one of the world's most important financial institutionsand into the mutual fund industry itself. Character Counts paints an indelible portrait of the man Fortune named one of the "four giants of finance" of the 20th century.

A biography of the first black player in modern American major league baseball, emphasizing the prejudice he had to overcome by sheer courage.

In 1932, Herbert J. Taylor believed his employees needed an "ethical yardstick" by which to do business. The four questions he penned became the Rotary Four-Way Test--the pledge that echoes thousands of times each week across the globe in hundreds of languages. The 24 words of the pledge might seem small, but they are significant, encapsulating powerful guidelines for how to treat everyone with respect. As our Rotarian population ages, we need to promote the Four-Way Test to a new and younger generation, many of whom already have too little experience with positive character models. Corinne Gregory dives deep into the meaning and implications of each aspect of the Four-Way Test, shows inspirational examples of how it works in action, creating a useful tool in education and outreach for years to come.While this book focuses on Rotarians, it is applicable to anyone who values positive character, ethics and integrity both personally and in their professional lives. It is a dynamic study in leadership and service, sharing how positive character changes the world for the better.