Six Pillars of Ethical Leadership

- Elda-Rosa Coulthrust, MA, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS

eth·ics

moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

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Ethical leadership plays an instrumental part in an organization and is the foundation of moral culture in business, politics, education and other parts of social life.

On the flip side, unethical leadership comes with a lack of trust. Unprincipled or dishonorable leadership is marked by autocracy, oppression, manipulation and a lack of fidelity.

This combination of traits can create feelings of devaluation in others and often stunts opportunities for growth. Ultimately, dropping these landmines which can negatively impact the overall success of an organization:

• Poor employee performance, attitudes and relations

• Unfavorable perceptions of the organization

• Legal issues & problems

So, what exactly is ethical leadership?

Leaders are powerful personalities who have the ability to influence and inspire others. Ethical leaders understand egalitarian principles. Being an ethical leader requires demonstration of a set of values and principles that provide a strong foundation.

In a nutshell, ethical leaders inspire and guide an organization with values and principles that promote healthy outcomes. Ethical leaders have a growth mindset and are innovative. Ethical leaders motivate, model expectations and set examples for prosocial conduct.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams

What Does Ethical Leadership Involve?

Being an ethical leader involves understanding the responsibility involved in making decisions that have an impact on an organization. Ethical leaders must identify their own limits and have a grasp on their own values and principles and how they may intersect with difficult and important decisions.

Ethical leaders take responsibility for their actions, admit their mistakes and be willing to learn from them. Leaders celebrate ‘wins’ with their team and provide guidance and course correction when necessary.

Even though many different characteristics describe ethical leadership, they drill down to the six pillars of ethical leadership:

• Honesty

• Respect

• Fairness

• Justice

• Integrity

• Transparency

Honesty

Ethical leaders prioritize honesty.

As a result, trust is fostered. Presenting things “as they are” is not always easy. Ethical leaders know how to convey optimism even when challenges are ahead.

Respect

Ethical leaders understand egalitarian principles and respect the range of talent from C-Suite executives - to the cleaning team - to front end staff. They are not quick to pass judgment— instead they recognize the value of others and promote diversity and inclusion.

Fairness

Ethical leaders communicate expectations clearly, set reasonable goals, and value feedback. Ethical leaders accept responsibility and delegate tasks fairly. They understand that the cogs will not turn smoothly without everyone understanding the importance of their role.

Justice

Ethical leaders value justice. Leaders with high morals are not biased; they give everyone the same chance without favoritism or discrimination.

Integrity

Ethical leaders demonstrate integrity. They are trustworthy and reliable. They follow through with their commitments and are accountable for their actions and decisions.

Transparency

To be an ethical leader, you must understand that transparency builds trust and commitment. Ethical leaders communicate. They set clear expectations, accept feedback and admit mistakes.

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Character defines a person's identity, decision-making, and behavior. It determines a leader's relationships and ethical decisions. However, character can be developed and improved.

Ethical leaders have positive values that they model within their organization and community. Here are some suggestions for developing leadership skills.

Improve Yourself

A great way to be an ethical leader is to nurture a growth mindset. This means being willing to constantly improve yourself, adapt to change and model success.

The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them. - John Maxwell

Cultivate Honesty and Transparency

To cultivate honesty and transparency, communicate openly, and don't be afraid to admit your mistakes. In addition, be open to feedback and respect others' opinions.

Discourage unethical behavior by addressing conflicts respectfully and openly. Make transparency the core of your decision-making process, removing any self-interested bias.

Nurture Empathy

Empathy is the bedrock of strong relationships and one of the most critical leadership skills.

It helps us understand how other people feel, what they think, and what they need. With this knowledge, we can communicate more honestly and lead ethically.

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In a nutshell, leadership skills can be cultivated - coupled with ethics, this is a powerful combination to foster the success of an organization.