The Virtuosity Podcast

Send us Fan MailWhat does character have to do with leadership in medicine—and why are competencies alone no longer enough?Dr. Jacqueline Torti, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at Western University, joins Corey for a grounded conversation on character-based leadership in health professions education. She explores how character shows up in small, often unseen moments that shape trust, teamwork, and patient care.A central focus of the episode is Jacqueline’s work leading a year-long character-based leadership course for medical residents—later expanded to early-career physicians due to overwhelming demand. She shares why residents were craving space, psychological safety, and community, how the course created meaningful connection in fast-paced clinical environments, and what surprised her most when studying its impact. 🧠 What you’ll hear: 🔥 Why character elevates clinical competence rather than competing with it 🏥 How a year-long character-based leadership course created connection, reflection, and demand across medical training 🤝 What research revealed about community and belonging as key outcomes of character development ⚖️ How Jacqueline responds to skepticism and pushback around character in medicine ❤️ Personal reflections on parenting, habituation, and sustaining character across contextsResources• Sultan et al. (2019). Leadership development in postgraduate medical education: a systematic review of the literature. Academic Medicine, 94(3), 440-449. (https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/abstract/2019/03000/leadership_development_in_postgraduate_medical.37.aspx)•  Torti et al. (2022). Perspectives on physician leadership: the role of character‐based leadership in medicine. Medical Education, 56(12), 1184-1193. (https://asmepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/medu.14875)•  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does character have to do with public service leadership, national infrastructure, and long-term stewardship?Sonia Zouari—Chief Architect at the Department of National Defence—joins us for a powerful, deeply human conversation on why character is the stabilizing force leaders need in a VUCA world. Drawing on 25+ years across architecture, sustainability, policy, and public service, Sonia shares how character transforms technical expertise into service, how it shapes decision-making under pressure, and why leadership today demands deliberate inner work.From mission-ready infrastructure to parenting, aging parents, and daily leadership choices, Sonia illustrates how character shows up not in grand gestures, but in the small moments that quietly shape trust, culture, and outcomes.🧠 What you’ll hear: 🔥 Why technical excellence alone cracks under pressure—and how character turns skill into lasting impact 🧭 “How do I want to be as a leader now?” — the question guiding Sonia’s transition into the Chief Architect role 🏗️ Why the hardest challenges in infrastructure and public service aren’t technical, but human ⚖️ How integrity shifts from a concept to a daily practice through humility, temperance, and judgment 🛠️ The power of micro-practices: naming virtues in real time, habit stacking, and creating steadiness in high-pressure systems ❤️ How character-based leadership extends beyond work—to parenting, elder care, and showing up with presence rather than pressureThis episode is a masterclass in character as a habit of being—one that enables leaders to navigate ambiguity, steward public trust, and create environments where people can bring their best, even when the stakes are high.Resources•  Connect with Sonia Zouari on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniazouari/)•  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does character have to do with military leadership and operational readiness?Lieutenant-Colonel Phil Desmarais—Commanding Officer of the Canadian NORAD Space Detachment—joins us for a pioneering conversation on why character is mission critical in today’s CAF. Drawing on 25+ years in air and space operations, he shares how his team is implementing daily character development across a dispersed unit, what this work demands of leaders, and why what got you here won’t get you there.🧠 What you’ll hear:🔥 Why people who rely on you “deserve a better version of you”—and why Phil refuses to stay static as a leader🧭 “Who are you becoming while you’re busy doing?” — the guiding question anchoring his leadership⚔️ Why character is an operational advantage, not a soft skill—especially in a world of global instability🧩 The pioneering initiative: a train-the-trainer model + Virtuosity’s daily development + defence-specific application🛠️ How behavioral forecasting became rocket fuel for his team—especially when preparing senior leaders for high-stakes strategic engagementsResources •  Canadian Armed Forces Ethos : Trusted to Serve (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/canadian-armed-forces-ethos-trusted-to-serve.html) •  Fighting Spirit: The Profession of Arms in Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/fighting-spirit.html) •  Behavioural Forecasting in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/06/25/behavioral-forecasting-a-foundational-practice-to-navigate-the-world/) •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does partnership have to do with character development, leadership, and lasting change?Kelly Kiel Garramone—CEO and Research Practice Lead at KRW International—and Mark Chow—a Singapore-based consultant, coach, and global leader—join us to explore how partnership can accelerate growth and make character development come alive.As total strangers on opposite sides of the world, they entered the Virtuosity Program and turned its “partnership” feature into what they now call central to their growth experience. What began as a simple pairing evolved into a friendship built on curiosity, accountability, and shared reflection—proof that even across distance, character connects.🧠 What you’ll hear:🤝 How intentional partnership became the core engine of their Virtuosity experience📅 The weekly cadence, life-story exercise, and reflection-sharing that deepened trust and insight🌍 How two people—from Singapore and Washington—built a friendship rooted in curiosity and accountability💡 The character dimensions that made it work: accountability, collaboration, integrity, humility, and courage⚖️ Why judgment became their integrating center for real-life choices💬 Their best advice for building partnerships that accelerate growth—starting with choosing someone outside your inner circle🌱 Why partnership transforms character from something personal into something relational and aliveResources •  KRW International (https://krw-intl.com/) •  Life Story Exercise by KRW International (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/73df68bc-3dbc-451a-8528-e4ea5c669362.pdf) •  River of Life Exercise by Trainings (https://trainings.350.org/resource/river-of-life/) •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does character have to do with public service, leadership, and organizational culture?Drawing on years in government, HR leadership, and the Virtuosity Program, Mélanie shows how character isn’t an abstract idea but a practical lever for courage, accountability, and culture change—whether you’re “acting” in a temporary leadership role or redesigning how organizations hire.🧠 What you’ll hear:🔥 Why leadership is about “going first”—and why even whispers from leaders sound like shouts🕸️ How context stresses different dimensions (humility at the top, courage at the base)🦸 Why Spider-Man’s “with great power comes great responsibility” is more than a comic line🧭 The questions leaders should ask: not “What do I do?” but “Who do I want to be?”👥 Why courage is the most under-activated dimension in employees—and how leaders can spark it🏛️ The culture–character link: why change feels like pushing a boulder uphill (and how momentum builds)🗣️ Simple but powerful practices—like team character mapping and everyday conversations—that seed transformation📝 Inside character-based hiring: why it’s vulnerable, harder than it looks, and worth it⚖️ How to deliver tough results in character interviews with empathy and integrity📊 Why internal candidates who “fail” raise vital questions about development vs. succession planning📲 How Virtuosity’s habit-stacking helps translate lofty virtues into lived micro-moments🌱 Practical advice for newcomers: start small, keep it simple, and build as you goResources •  Make Character Count in Hiring and Promoting (https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/make-character-count-in-hiring-and-promoting/) •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does character have to do with engineering, education, and the future of tech? Everything.Elisabeth Arnold Weiss—associate professor of technical communication at USC Viterbi, character-education innovator, and former acrobat(!)—joins us to explore how character isn’t an “add-on” to engineering, but the accelerant that makes trustworthy technology and resilient people possible.Drawing on 25+ years teaching engineers, athletics-forged grit, and fresh insights from the Virtuosity program and Wake Forest’s Educating Character Initiative, Elisabeth shows how to weave virtues into packed curricula, high-stakes industries like aviation, and everyday life—from studios to classrooms to parenting.🧠 What you’ll hear: 🧬 Why character is intrinsic to being human—and to practical wisdom and judgment 🎬 How stories (and great films) mirror character transformation 🏗️ Why tech’s speed & power demand human-centric engineers we can trust ✖️ The formula: Competence × Character = Trust (and faster ethical decisions) 🏋️ Athletics as a forge for humility, courage, discipline—and high-performance mindsets 🧱 The “tight curriculum” problem—and Elisabeth’s fix: broad infusion across courses, labs, and co-curriculars 🧭 New USC initiatives: a Freshman Academy character module, the Engineer-23 milestone framework, TEAM (Teaching Engineers Athletes’ Mindset), industry exemplar talks, and “Keys to Life” purpose walks 🛫 Inside aviation safety: linking leader character to communication, culture, and mortal-stakes decisions 📲 How Virtuosity’s daily habit-stacking made character a lived operating system (not a lecture) 👩‍🏫 Why educators must practice what they teach—and model growth in public 👪 A surprising parenting takeaway: candour and consistency as acts of integrityIf you care about building trustworthy tech, teaching the next generation, or simply growing your own judgment in a machine-shaped world—this conversation will both ground and stretch you.Resources •  Educating Character Initiative (https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci/)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does character have to do with democracy, coaching, and personal growth? Everything.Adelle—a top global executive coach, founder, and scholar—joins us to explore how character is the foundation not only for strong leadership, but for shaping systems, transforming democracies, and sustaining coaching relationships.With decades of experience leading culture and strategy in South Africa, Adelle reflects on what Nelson Mandela taught the world about leadership character—and how we can carry that legacy forward.🧠 What you’ll hear: 🇿🇦 Why character is essential to building a healthy democracy—especially in younger nations 🤝 How executive coaching can be a powerful system-level tool for transformation 📉 What institutional weakness teaches us about the need for individual integrity 🧭 Why Mandela’s leadership was a masterclass in humility, humanity, and drive 🔄 The contagious nature of character—and what happens when leaders model it well 📱 How the Virtuosity program helped Adelle confront her blind spots around consistency 🧩 The surprising depth behind “simple” virtues like candour and accountability ⚖️ How character can recalibrate us in moments of pressure and conviction 💡 What it means to bring the coaching lens into everyday conversationsIf you’re a coach, a systems thinker, or simply someone navigating complexity—this conversation will challenge and inspire your own journey toward character.Resources  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to drive real culture transformation in large, complex organizations—especially from the inside? Jennifer Bitz—public sector leader, systems thinker, and long-time practitioner of character-based leadership—joins us to share how she’s been reshaping culture across four major institutions by embedding character at every level.🧠 What you’ll hear:🏛️ How character is the foundational piece in culture change—not an add-on🌐 Why lasting transformation requires both individual and systemic development📍The surprising importance of intuition in system-level change🪞 How culture is shaped by what leaders model (even when they’re unaware)🎖️ Why rewards and recognition can be a powerful leverage point for shifting culture🔁 What happens when awareness is paired with daily development⚖️ Why “too much of a good thing” can derail a culture💬 How character-based diagnostics reveal what values statements can’t📱 The impact of the Virtuosity app—even for a seasoned character leaderIf you're working to align culture, leadership, and performance—this conversation offers practical insight and deep inspiration.Resources  •  First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ)  •  Diagnosing and strategically implementing a character-based culture (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ltl.20898)  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to move a system from simply knowing what matters to living it out daily?Manisha Patel—leadership educator, senior faculty member, and advocate for integrated growth—joins us to explore the shift from raising awareness to embedding development within the Canadian Armed Forces.🧠 What you’ll hear:📖 Why awareness is only the first step—and not the hardest one🧩 How development gains traction when people find the right words and structure🛠️ The challenge of turning short-term training into long-term change🗣️ What happens when others' feedback reveals gaps in our self-perception📱 How daily tools like the Virtuosity app help turn insight into action🏛️ The slow but promising shift toward embedding development in institutional practice🧭 Why progress depends on patience, buy-in, and leadership from the topIf you're leading inside a system—or trying to build one where growth isn't just encouraged but expected—this episode is a must-listen.Resources  •  Canadian Armed Forces Ethos: Character In The Profession of Arms (https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/canadian-armed-forces-ethos-trusted-to-serve.html)  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when someone on the front lines of crisis begins to champion character as the foundation for resilience, leadership, and peak performance?James Rychard—fire service leader, intercollegiate athlete, and national advocate for character-based leadership—joins us to explore how daily practices can fuel both peak performance and lasting well-being.🧠 What you’ll hear:🍁 A bold vision: what Canada could become if character-based leadership started at the top🔥 Why character—not competence—is the key to sustainable excellence💪 How firefighting mirrors elite athletics in both mindset and structure🚨 The hidden burnout risks beyond emergency calls—and how to manage them🧭 What Benjamin Franklin can teach us about self-assessment today📉 Why performance drops when character goes unchecked in leadership📱 How the Virtuosity app helps James stay grounded—shift work and allIf you’ve ever felt the tension between going hard and staying well—or wondered how to lead with strength and humanity—this episode is for you.Resources  •  The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Autobiography-of-Benjamin-Franklin/Benjamin-Franklin/9781416598343)  •  Ben & Me: From Temperance to Humility - Stumbling Through Ben Franklin's Thirteen Virtues, One Unvirtuous Day at a Time (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9308927-ben-and-me)  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a 34-year public servant, known for leading with empathy, retires—and reinvents herself through wellness, cooking, and daily character practice?Trish Lee—former senior leader at the Canada Revenue Agency and co-creator of the award-winning Aspiring Leaders program—joins us to share how a life of service evolves into a journey of personal growth, purpose, and flourishing.🧠 What you’ll hear:🏛️ How embedding character into hiring transformed a massive public institution🧭 Why writing your eulogy can be a powerful compass for your values🧰 Creative ways to build self-awareness—like crafting a personal coat of arms🧘‍♀️ How Tai Chi, nutrition, and reflection became pillars of post-career growth📱 Why the Virtuosity app became her new morning ritual🌱 The surprising link between leadership, lifestyle, and lifelong learningIf you’ve ever wondered what comes after career success—or how to lead and live with deeper intention—this episode is for you.Resources  •  Podcast on Embedding Character at CRA (https://www.questionofcharacter.com/episodes/episode-01-leader-character-101a-r9rxc-3r552-3y9df-baf3j)  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailIn a time of polarization and noise, what helps us lead with clarity, courage, and connection?Lorelei Rollings—Director General of Culture and Innovation at the RCMP, global leadership trainer, and certified Leader Character practitioner—joins us to explore how character isn’t just a personal quality, but a practical toolkit for navigating conflict, complexity, and change.🧠 What you’ll hear:🛣️ Why character is like guardrails on the road of life🪞 How strengths, when unchecked, can become liabilities—like integrity turning rigid without empathy🗣️ Why “Tell me more” might be the most powerful phrase in leadership⚖️ How temperance and transcendence help us stay grounded in divided times💥 Why every tough conversation is a character workout🔍 How character gives us the courage to look inward—and act with integrityIf you care about culture, inclusion, leadership, or simply becoming a better human—this one’s for you.Resources  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/8505b936-d1fd-4b36-96ed-62663e1c5b9a.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailBill Furlong (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-furlong-0689753/) is a distinguished finance and leadership expert who served as Vice Chair at TD Securities and now advances character-based leadership through his work with Ivey Business School, Leader Character Associates, and various governance roles.Quotes From Bill •  "If you want to get an early warning sense of where this organization is going to go, if you have a good sense of what the character of the leadership and the board is like, you're going to have a very good sense as to where the organization is going to go over the two to five year time frame." •  "Once you've rewired your brain, you become basically a different person, but now you become the different person that you've always wanted to be, one with enormous strength and character." •  "Directors are brought onto boards for their judgment—and judgment is rooted in character.” •  "You don’t need elite credentials to build character. It’s available to anyone willing to put in the reps." •  "I think we underestimate the degree to which we can change the context we're in. One person can shift the whole room." •  "The culture of an organization is really the aggregate of the character of its people." •  "Virtuosity gives me the structure I need—without it, I’d probably be a D in character development."Resources  •  Leader Character Associates (https://leadercharacterassociates.com/)  •  Question of Character podcast (https://www.questionofcharacter.com/)  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/8505b936-d1fd-4b36-96ed-62663e1c5b9a.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailDr. Christian Breede (https://www.linkedin.com/in/h-christian-breede-09481415/) is a Research Analyst with the Department of National Defence working at the Canadian Defence Academy.Quotes From Christian •  "Character work is not to be started in the attack position. You've got to do it before...You gotta have the sets and reps done beforehand so that when you're in those positions of having to make a quick decision, you can rely on your strength of character — your judgment is strong and you're going to make the right call." •  "Militaries privilege certain virtues over others, which leads to unbalanced character — and that can create problems...Almost every country [Five Eyes and Ireland] under emphasized temperance, collaboration, and — surprisingly — courage." •  "The proverbial one-and-done is better than nothing, but ultimately of little impact — what really sticks is some way we can build habituation into it — how can we make this habit-forming? That's where Virtuosity is really helpful, the daily cues to think about what you're already doing — just in a new way." •  "I really want to highlight just how universal this idea of character really is. Character transcends space and time in a way that I think few ideas really do."Resources  •  Character and the Five Eyes: A Review of Anglosphere Military Leadership Doctrine (coming soon)  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/8505b936-d1fd-4b36-96ed-62663e1c5b9a.pdf)  •  Seven Strategies for Character Development (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailChuck Ansell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-ansell-00370185/), currently serving as the School Chief Warrant Officer at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations, sits down with Corey to share insights on how he's embedding character leadership into their education and leadership training.Quotes From Chuck"We make sure that junior leaders, intermediate leaders, and senior leaders, all understand what their character looks like and learn about how they can recognize it in other people.""I send out a weekly character email that takes a topic, whether it's a character virtue or vice, then discuss it, define it, and explain how it can impact the mission and the team.""Our annual evaluations have changed to a character and competency-based evaluation - so character is in our evaluations.""[Virtuosity] provides the information, it provides the avenue to track your progress, and asks you the questions that we should be thinking about to change a habit."ResourcesCharacter Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)Seven Strategies for Character Development (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/fa001ea5-006e-4e0e-8f68-c4fc2d671aae.pdf)Five Stages for Character Development (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/97cf5062-ce61-49b8About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.

Send us Fan MailIn our launch episode, co-founders Dr. Mary Crossan and host Dr. Corey Crossan challenge conventional thinking on leadership development and invite you to reimagine what's possible when character becomes a daily practice.Mary reveals why character isn’t just important—it’s foundationalCorey unpacks the intentional design behind Virtuosity’s flagship programMary outlines what makes this approach radically different from traditional leadership modelsTogether, they introduce this year’s program participants—guests who will bring theory to lifeMary shares strategic insights on how Virtuosity drives organizational transformationMary reflects on the Virtuosity app and how it brings character development into daily practiceAnd finally, Mary unveils the Character Quotient—a new framework to assess and elevate the way we leadThis isn't just another leadership podcast. It's a call to those who believe that character is the next frontier of excellence.Dr Mary Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-crossan-048ba5269/) is a Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Strategic Leadership at the Ivey Business School, Western University, Canada.Resources  •  Character Quotient Assessment in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/marycrossan/2025/03/26/from-good-to-great-10-ways-to-elevate-your-character-quotient/)  •  Cracking the Code (https://www.cutter.com/article/cracking-code-leader-character-development-competitive-advantage)  •  Leader Character Framework with Culture, Virtues, and Vices (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/organization/storage_production_6e2934b8-3e20-47a7-aa79-59a612f967be/990340a0-9980-4919-9456-ab5640b405a0.pdf)About Virtuosity  •  Website (https://virtuositycharacter.ca/)  •  Monthly Newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/virtuositycharacter/subscribe-to-the-virtuosity-monthly-newsletter)  •  LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosity-character)  •  Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/virtuositycharacter/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)Host, Dr Corey Crossan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreycrossan/), is a research and teaching fellow at The Oxford Character Project where she develops and facilitates character development programs for students, industry, and university partners. Corey’s love for elite performance developed as she competed in top-level athletics for most of her life, highlighted by competing as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. Corey translated her understanding of elite performance into a passion for helping individuals and organizations develop sustained excellence. She is also the co-founder of Virtuosity Character, a mobile software application created to support the daily, deliberate practice of character-based leadership development.