Being a leader who upholds ethical standards is beneficial for a variety of reasons. When seen from the viewpoint of the group as a whole, leaders have the ability to motivate others around them to conduct themselves in an ethical manner. Others will emulate your moral conduct if you demonstrate it first and then instruct them on how to behave in accordance with ethical standards.
The role of ethics in developing good leaders has the ability to favorably affect a large number of people by providing them with a set of activities that they may embrace for the benefit of the community as a whole. Being a credible and reputable individual on a personal level requires you to uphold high ethical standards as a leader. It is a lengthy game to aspire to be in a position of leadership. When a leader engages in unethical behavior, they risk having their personal or corporate brand severely damaged, which may immediately remove them from the A-league.
In addition, engaging in unethical actions often has the effect of lowering a person’s self-esteem, which in turn results in a less-than-ideal outcome and a lost chance to realize one’s full potential.
Here are the 9 role of ethics in developing good leaders;
1. It helps leaders become aware of the ideals and compass they have inside themselves.
The first quality necessary for becoming an ethical leader is an awareness of one’s identity. They are able to make their own values and principles evident to others, adopt positions, and engage securely in talks because they are aware of their own values and principles.
2. It helps Leaders act in a morally responsible manner.
The role of ethics in developing good leaders is aware of the fact that repetition is the foundation upon which reputation is formed. No matter how ethically they have acted in the past, leaders always run the risk of having their followers swiftly lose faith in them if they engage in behavior that betrays the confidence that their followers have placed in them. It is incumbent for leaders to demonstrate in a consistent manner that followers may continue to put their faith in them.
3. It enables leaders to have a zero-tolerance policy on violations of the ethical code.
If a leader does not respond appropriately when someone violates the Code of Conduct and the leader does nothing about it, it may send the message that the Code of Conduct is not significant. Leaders who uphold ethical standards do not bend the rules in this regard, and they make it clear right away which activities are not acceptable. By doing so, they establish consistency and reliability, as well as eliminate the possibility of misunderstanding and uncertainty over appropriate conduct.
4. It helps them to express their worries, despite the fact that doing so may not be popular.
Leaders who uphold ethical standards are aware that ignoring critical details may result in severe losses. They pay close attention to the happenings around them in order to spot any possible problems. When confronted with a question or a conundrum, ethical leaders voice their concerns, even if doing so would cause things to go more slowly or result in more labor. The role of ethics in developing good leaders helps them to express their worries.
5. It helps them to be honest about their failures and discuss contingency plans for when things go wrong.
Whenever anything goes wrong, ethical leaders do not try to cover it up or downplay its significance. Instead, they accept responsibility for their error, apologize for it, work to identify solutions to the problem and consult stakeholders on any potential recovery strategies. This demonstrates that they care, and they are making an effort to alleviate a precarious situation by doing what is within their control. The role of ethics in developing good leaders helps them to be honest about their failures.
6. It helps them to be ready to take on the utmost amount of duty.
In accordance with what is said by Napoleon Hill, “the effective leader must be prepared to shoulder responsibility for the errors and the weaknesses of his followers.” If he makes any attempt to delegate this obligation, he will lose his position as leader. If one of his subordinates makes a mistake and demonstrates that he is unable, the leader is forced to think that it was he who was the one who failed. The role of ethics in developing good leaders helps them to be ready to take on the utmost amount of duty.
In organizations, a lack of accountability leads to inefficiency, confusion, inactivity, and the waste of time and resources. Ethical leaders are those who hold themselves responsible, who take leadership, and who mold both the present and the future via the words and actions they choose to take.
7. It helps them to never miss a game and are always ready to represent their teams.
The role of ethics in developing good leaders is there throughout both good and bad times, work to improve their employees, and, when necessary, protect others. They are at the forefront when a storm strikes, providing leadership to their teams and assisting them in overcoming the obstacles they face. They are conscious of the fact that they are not there to serve their individual interests, but rather the interests of their teams and organizations.
8. It helps them to behave in a just manner.
The role of ethics in developing good leaders are often required to make difficult choices and engage in complex conversations. Their actions make it quite evident that they value long-term success above short-term rewards. In addition, it promotes the concept of meritocracy as well as equitable treatment of every single person, irrespective of their position, race, age, or any other possible element of prejudice.
9. It helps them to put their words into action.
Last, but certainly not least, ethical leaders behave honestly. They put their beliefs into action, and the congruence between their words, their actions, and their core principles is clear to everyone. Their credibility and reputation would suffer if they did not hold themselves to the same standards that they offer to others. Setting a good example for others is a purposeful decision that demands constant attention but yields results unmatched by any other strategy.
Conclusion:
By making ethical decisions and setting a positive example for others to follow, a good leader can create a culture of integrity and accountability within their organization. After all, a good leader recognizes the importance of ethics not only for the success of his organization, but also for improving society as a whole. By following ethical values and leading with integrity, a good leader can positively influence the world around him and inspire others to do the same.
