The world is challenged today by the unethical behaviours of leaders. But is it just at the top that we have problems?
Organisations (governments, businesses, sport and community groups, any type of organisation) can create an environment conducive to ethical behaviour. It all comes down to how people – both inside and outside – perceive the way they are being treated by the organisation and its leaders, and the extent to which they can influence what happens.
Three factors come into consideration.
- Purpose: use values, hopes, and a clear purpose statement to determine what is acceptable and unacceptable (fair, reasonable, responsible) behaviour.
- Preparedness (Professional): by knowing as much as we can about our job/role/reponsibility and striving to perform effectively we develop an identity with the purpose and pride ourselves and of our organisation. Knowing what is at risk can help you resist temptations to behave unethically. Making certain that you are informed and as knowledgeable as you can be.
- Perspective: be reflective in our practice. Make time to pause and reflect, make yourself aware of what is going on around you. See the big picture and all the impacts. Respond and adjust, using purpose as your reference point. Be aware of how you and what you do and say impacts on others.
There is a lot to unpack in the following quote from Ludwig DC and Longenecker CO (1993) The Bathsheba syndrome: the ethical failure of successful leaders. Journal of Business Ethics 12(4):265-273
Ethical leadership is simply part of good leadership and requires focus, the appropriate use of resources, trust, effective decision making, and provision of model behaviour that is worth following. Once it is lost it is difficult if not impossible to regain.