In this insightful conversation, Peter Rea, founder of Better Humans, Better Performance, explains how virtue-based leadership drives measurable results. Drawing from his experience at Parker Hannifin, he shares research showing that 75% of performance variance comes from character, not cognitive ability. Peter explores the seven classical virtues and their application in leadership, highlighting gratitude as a key driver of engagement and performance. He also offers practical advice for parents and educators on focusing on character development. This conversation provides actionable tools for creating lasting positive change through virtue.

Highlights from the episode:

• The seven classical virtues (trust, compassion, courage, justice, wisdom, temperance, and hope) are universal across cultures and throughout history
• When implementing virtues at Parker Hannifin, teams saw engagement increases of 10-20% annually
• Gratitude practices showed the strongest impact on employee engagement and resilience
• Character issues account for 89% of employee terminations, while competence issues only account for 11%
• Neuroplasticity research confirms that "what we pay attention to and practice is who we become"
• Focusing on character and process rather than outcomes reduces anxiety and improves performance
• Better Humans, Better Performance nonprofit, offers resources and training for character-based leadership
• For children and teams, asking three questions promotes virtue: Were you brave? Were you kind? Did you learn from your mistakes?
• Practicing virtue with humility acknowledges that no one has earned the right to measure others

Peter Rea's Bio

Peter Rea is the founder of Better Humans. Better Performance, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and teams thrive under pressure while guided by character and integrity. Peter brings a wealth of experience as the former Vice President of Integrity and Ethics at Parker Hannifin, and as a professor of business at Baldwin Wallace University. He has authored multiple influential publications, including Better Humans. Better Performance and Leading with Integrity. His career spans over two decades, combining leadership, ethics, and entrepreneurial insight, and he is passionate about creating lasting social and economic value through virtuous leadership. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Akron, an M.A. from Bowling Green State University, and a B.S. from Ohio University. He has completed postdoctoral studies in international marketing and business, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship at the University of South Carolina, Memphis University, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, and MIT.

• Better Humans. Better Performance. https://7vs.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjreaphd/

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