About the Course
Character-Driven Leadership is a free, online, self-paced course from the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at Ivey Business School, made possible through the generous support of BMO Financial Group.
At its core is a simple idea: great leadership isn't just about what you know or what you do. It's about who you are. Designed for leaders in small and medium-sized enterprises, not-for-profits, charities, community organizations, and for lifelong learners of every background, the course explores a dimension of leadership that too often goes unspoken yet sits at the heart of every consequential decision: character. Grounded in fifteen years of award-winning research, this program moves character from an abstract ideal to a practical, developable capability that sharpens judgment, strengthens teams, and sustains excellence over time.
Across ten modules, you'll be introduced to the Ivey Leader Character Framework and its eleven interconnected dimensions — including Humility, Humanity, Integrity, Courage, Drive, Accountability, Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence — with Judgment at the centre. You'll learn why character is built rather than born, how strengths can quietly tip into vices when left unsupported, and how to train character much like a muscle through the five steps of the "character gym": discover, activate, strengthen, connect, and sustain.
Each module pairs Ivey faculty with practicing leaders from small businesses, charities, and mission-driven organizations, and features perspectives from BMO CEO Darryl White and Chief Administrative Officer Mona Malone — ensuring that every concept is illuminated by real-world experience across sectors.
The course is entirely free, open-access, and asynchronous, so you can engage on your own schedule and return to the material whenever the decisions in front of you demand it. Modules combine video teaching, animations, reflection exercises, and practical tools you can apply immediately in your work, your team, and your community. Upon completing the modules and short knowledge checks, you'll receive a certificate of course completion.
Whether you're leading a growing business, running a community program, serving on a board, or just getting started, Character-Driven Leadership offers a shared language and a proven path for the journey — because stronger character makes stronger leaders, and stronger leaders build stronger organizations and communities.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is delivered fully online and is completely asynchronous so you can learn on your own schedule, from anywhere.
- 10 modules, each focused on a key aspect of leader character.
- Approximately 6.5 hours of total learning time.
- Short videos, real-world scenarios, reflection prompts, practical exercises, and resources in every module.
- A short quiz at the end of each module to reinforce key ideas, with unlimited attempts so you can focus on learning rather than performance.
- Self-paced from start to finish — pause, revisit, and return whenever you're ready.
Why Character?
The research behind this course began in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, when Ivey scholars asked a fundamental question: what role did leadership play in what happened? After engaging more than 300 senior leaders across sectors in the landmark Leadership on Trial study, the answer was striking: the crisis wasn't a failure of competence. It was a failure of character.
That insight reframed how we think about leadership. Competence tells us what a leader can do; character tells us what they will do, especially under pressure, in ambiguity, and when the right path isn't obvious. Fifteen years of research has since shown that character is not a fixed trait but a learnable, developable capability.
In a world demanding more of its leaders than ever before, character isn't a "soft" skill. It's the foundation every other leadership capability stands on.
For more than 200 years, BMO has helped advance the people, organizations and ideas that strengthen communities and create opportunity. Guided by our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, we are proud to work with Ivey Business School to expand access to leadership learning for small business and nonprofit leaders. By helping leaders strengthen their judgment, build resilient organizations and create lasting impact, this program contributes to stronger communities and a prosperous future for Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. The course is designed to be accessible to anyone interested in becoming a stronger, more grounded leader. No formal leadership background required!
Just an internet connection and a device — laptop, tablet, or phone.
Yes, and we encourage it! The course can be a shared learning experience to build a common vocabulary and framework around leader character. It's a great fit for team meetings, staff development days, and ongoing professional development.
Your learning journey doesn't have to end here. At the end of each module, and again at the end of the full course, you'll receive a curated collection of resources to revisit, reflect on, and apply as you put character-driven leadership into practice. These materials are yours to keep and return to whenever you need a refresher, a prompt, or a fresh perspective on what you've learned. Beyond the course, the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at Ivey Business School offers ongoing opportunities to keep growing, including blogs, articles, podcasts, videos, conferences, newsletters, and further training programs to help you deepen your practice and connect with others on the same journey.
Earn Your Certificate
Upon successful completion of all 10 modules and their accompanying quizzes, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion from the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at Ivey Business School, delivered by email and ready to print. You can proudly share on LinkedIn and other professional platforms — a lasting marker of your commitment to character-driven leadership.
Already registered in the course? Navigate to the course content here.