I tend to think of this “character” as part of craft, bordering on art.

Deep artful craft requires inhabiting work beyond basic professionalism and requirements. You set aside self and ego and commit yourself as a tool to create.

It’s a value system created via example and culture. We have to be ready to prioritize reflection and learning, meaningful feedback, dialogue, certain kinds of humor even.

So it’s sadly not healthy or sustainable in many settings.

Edit: thank you for this post. It was a nice humanist reaffirmation.