I had the good fortune to have met John McCain — who died last month at age 81 — a number of times, beginning in the 1990s.
I once was honored to brief him on an issue at his request. He listened quietly, concentrating on my remarks, occasionally questioning me in the softest of voice.
After his six decades in public service, those who knew him best use lots of words to describe John McCain: hero, courageous, survivor, defiant, independent, complicated, and most of all, interesting as Washington, D.C., politicians go.
He entered into frays often and easily, taking on his own Republican Party and its leaders as often as he took on the Democrats. He wasn't always right but could apologize and move on like few others. He was simply honored and thrilled to be actively in the arena.
On important issues, Sen. McCain was often one of the few leaders who had the willingness and ability to negotiate a fair compromise.
McCain's death got me to thinking more broadly about character and how it relates to the workplace.
"Jobs, jobs, jobs" has been a mantra for all sorts for politicians over the years. However, changes in the current U.S. economy — including a bustling 4 percent annual growth rate with about a 3 percent unemployment rate — have placed a premium on qualified workers. The radio program Marketplace reported in August that over 40 percent of small businesses say they have openings but are unable to fill them.
With about 130 million full-time employees in the United States — those who work 35 hours or more per week — opportunities abound for new and better jobs for those who wish to be part of the workforce.