Ethical Leadership

How Ethical Leadership Can Positively Affect Your Organization What it is and How to be an Ethical Leader Everyone strives to be an ethical leader, but what does that mean and how do we implement it into our business strategies? According to Villanova University, “Ethical leadership is a form of leadership in which individuals demonstrate conduct for the common good that is acceptable and appropriate in every area of their life.” Put simply, ethical leaders are role models for their employees and they also create an ethical workspace for their employees. But how can you make sure that you’re being an ethical leader? And more importantly, what are the reasons to be an ethical leader? Here’s how you can implement ethical leadership into your organization and how it will benefit you in the long run. Steps You Can Take Towards Being an Ethical Leader The first step in being an ethical leader, according to Business News Daily, is to define and align your morals. You can do this by making sure that the values you have as an individual are similar to values you have as a leader. Not only will defining your morals “[express] your authenticity, [but] it encourages your team to do the same, creating a shared vision for all workers.” Once you’ve defined your values, make sure you’re hiring employees with similar ethics. Business News Daily writes, “Without mutual respect, it is very difficult to form a dynamic team and most people find it very difficult to respect someone who doesn’t share their values.” Being an ethical leader also means creating an ethical environment which can be done through practicing open communication throughout your organization. Business New Daily says, “With each decision you make, be transparent and encourage feedback from your team.” Not to mention, making open communication a priority in the office “helps your workers feel more confident sharing their ideas or concerns.” Finally, in order to be an ethical leader, it is important to beware of any subconscious biases you might be harboring. By recognizing bias, ethical leaders are practicing self-awareness and can create an even better workspace. The Benefits of Practicing Ethical Leadership Being an ethical leader is important for yourself but also for employee morale. According to Villanova University, there three major benefits to practicing ethical leadership: The Well-Being of the Individual As mentioned above, one way to be an ethical leader is to practice open communication in the workplace. By creating a healthy, communicative environment, ethical leaders are influencing “job productivity and attitude,” which can lead to an overall improvement in the well-being of your employees. The Energy of the Team Practicing ethical leadership involves promoting team collaboration. “When coworkers are working as a team, it can help build relationships in the workplace and help the overall performance of the group,” writes Villanova University. Also, working as a team has been shown to improve employee morale.

The Health of the Organization The last big benefit of being an ethical leader is the overall improvement of the organization. Villanova University writes, “When people can show respect for one another, and can value other’s opinions, it may help create a productive working environment.” Fostering open communication and creating values in the workplace can help employees “grow personally, build friendships and contribute to the overall goal” of the organization. Ethical leadership is about more than just ensuring that your organization remains ethical by following laws and regulations, it means creating a positive workplace. Being an ethical leader means, defining your values and hiring those with similar morals, promoting open communication throughout the office, and making sure any biases you have don’t get in the way of creating a healthy work environment. By practicing ethical leadership, you can see an overall improvement in the well-being of the employees, the energy of the team, and the health of your organization.