Which element of the Army Leadership Requirements Model defines what a leader should be?

• A. Character
• B. Competence
• C. Courage
• D. Communication

Answer: (A)

Character defines what a leader should be. It covers values, ethics, integrity, and the discipline to do the right thing even when it’s tough. This foundation shapes every decision and action, earning trust and credibility from others. Competence is about what you know and can do, not who you are; courage is a virtue that fits within character but doesn’t define the whole person; and communication is about how you convey ideas, not the essence of your being. So, the focus of the leader’s being, the aspect that determines who you are as a leader, is character.