When I think about the attributes generally required for an ethical leader, a description of “smart” can hardly ascend to the top of my list.
It is of little importance whether leaders develop protégées or not. Do we really care how innovative they are?
Do we care about a leader’s vision, business strategy, and useless sound bytes that start deep in 30,000 feet clouds?
Or, do we really want to understand and hear from our leaders in terms of who they are, what they are all about, and what their ethical values are?
In my world, and I do think a lot, is the continual examination of whether a leader is purposeful or not. I’ll say it again: Leadership without purpose is groundless and a complete waste of time.
P.S.- Image courtesy of sheelamohan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
A leader’s job is to teach, enrich, and develop others to be successful and accountable.
Ethical and purposeful leaders make it their mission to build morals based cultures that are transparent, honest, fair, and give all employees opportunities to contribute and grow.
The organizations that practice good governance, make ethical standards, values, and conduct the highest priority, and operate legally generally have active and strong board of directors overseeing this process.
There are many poor examples of this continually being played out in American based companies, and sadly those in power at the executive or board level typically put their own financial interests ahead of the very constituents they serve.
When is the last time you heard a leader explain his or her values and expound on their ethical compass?
Most leaders are not purposeful and very introspective. The power, control, compensation, and benefits they have earned, been granted, or they usurped is not something they wish to give up.
Purposeful leaders thoughtfully examine and analyze whether the products and services they manufacture or resell provide value that improve lives.
In posing the question, they can only hope that the value they help deliver improves the lives of their employees, suppliers, customers, stakeholders, and the communities they equally serve.
These types of ethical leaders and the organizations they are responsible for generally are more profitable, responsible, sustainable, and accountable. They attract a deep pool of diverse and talented individuals who want to contribute, grow, and fit.
Not all of can be leaders. It takes wonderful attributes and ethical values to be effective and purposeful.
Here’s what you can do. Think about your purpose each day.
Think about the five most important things in your lives and specifically what you value the most.
Do your best every day.
Make sure that your morals, principles, and ethical values help you navigate through life and make all of our journeys more meaningful and sustainable.
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