Character

In software engineering, as in much of life, there is no substitute for good old-fashioned character.

Reference.com has a definition of "moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character."  In particular (for creating great software), exemplifying the virtues of industriousness, truth and courage.  The practical application of industriousness is obvious (even when your code is compiling), but truth and courage are needed when a deadline isn't going to be made, or a critical bug is found.

Thanks to Motifake.com.

Character is especially important, as the client or boss frequently has less technical knowledge, and counts on our trustworthiness and expertise (see also, information asymmetry).

This may sound disingenuous from an author who shamelessly plugs this blogs in comments and posts demotivational posters for the links (I mean, for the readers), but even though this is a new profession, lessons from ancient Greece about virtue and character still hold true.

Thank you.