Leadership is a position of great responsibility. When people look up to you, they expect you to lead by example, set standards, and maintain the integrity of the organization. This is especially important in enterprise leadership, where the decisions made by leaders can have far-reaching consequences on the company and its stakeholders.
Here I present ‘Transitioning to Enterprise Leadership 11: Leading with Integrity: Demonstrating Ethical Leadership and Maintaining High Standards.’
Growth Series
I hope you have been enjoying this series, as I pause to consider the qualities of leadership that are essential for senior managers to hone their skills and become top-performing enterprise leaders.
Not a small topic
The course focuses on the principles and practices of ethical leadership, and how leaders can maintain high standards of integrity while navigating complex business environments. It covers a range of topics such as:
- ethical decision-making,
- managing ethical dilemmas,
- creating an ethical culture,
- and building trust with stakeholders.
Ethical Decision-Making
One of the core components of ethical leadership is making ethical decisions. This involves considering the impact of decisions on all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the wider community. Leaders need to be able to balance the interests of different groups and make decisions that are fair, just, and ethical. They also need to be able to communicate their decisions effectively and transparently to all stakeholders.
Managing Ethical Dilemmas
Leaders are often faced with ethical dilemmas, situations where there is no clear right or wrong answer. In such cases, it is important to have a framework for making decisions. The course provides tools and techniques for managing ethical dilemmas, such as using ethical decision-making models and seeking advice from colleagues or experts.
Creating an Ethical Culture
Creating an ethical culture is critical for maintaining high standards of integrity. This involves setting a clear tone from the top, defining values and principles, and aligning policies and practices with ethical standards. Leaders need to model ethical behavior and ensure that employees understand the importance of ethical conduct. They also need to create an environment where employees feel safe to report ethical violations without fear of retaliation.
Building Trust with Stakeholders
Trust is the foundation of any successful enterprise. Leaders need to build and maintain trust with all stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and the wider community. This involves being transparent and honest in all communication, delivering on promises, and taking responsibility for mistakes. Leaders also need to be able to navigate conflicts of interest and ensure that their decisions are not influenced by personal gain or bias.
Key Takeaways
Transitioning to Enterprise Leadership 11: Leading with Integrity: Demonstrating Ethical Leadership and Maintaining High Standards is a critical course for anyone aspiring to be an enterprise leader. It provides the tools and techniques for making ethical decisions, managing ethical dilemmas, creating an ethical culture, and building trust with stakeholders.
Followup ideas
Observing and following great examples of leaders who have for many years demonstrated their ability to tackle tough challenges and lead with integrity, is a great way to consider your leadership style and management of the same or similar issues. A couple of follow up ideas of such leaders:
- Warren Buffett – Known for his ethical leadership style and for emphasizing the importance of integrity in business.
- Mary Barra – CEO of General Motors, who has emphasized the importance of transparency and ethical behaviour in the company, and who, herself is a remarkable example, having modelled those behaviours.
By following these principles, leaders can maintain high standards of integrity and lead their organizations to success while maintaining the trust and respect of their stakeholders. Remember, leading with integrity is not just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Highly Recommended Reading
here are some of the best thinkers in the space of ethical leadership and maintaining high standards:
- Frances Frei and Anne Morriss – Authors of “Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader’s Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You,” which emphasizes the importance of leading with integrity and building trust.
- Kim Scott – Author of “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity,” which focuses on the importance of being honest and transparent while also demonstrating empathy and care for employees.
- Robert Cialdini – Author of “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” which explores the ethical implications of persuasive tactics and how to avoid unethical behavior in the pursuit of influence.
- John C. Maxwell – Author of “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” which includes a focus on ethical leadership and the importance of leading by example.
More Great ideas for further reading
- Stephen R. Covey – Author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
- Simon Sinek- Author of “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t”
- John C. Maxwell- Author of “Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know”
- Norman Vincent Peale- Author of “The Power of Ethical Management”
- Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander – Authors of “The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life”
By studying these thought leaders and understanding their perspectives, one can gain insights into the practices and principles of ethical leadership and what separates great leaders from merely good ones.
