What a Leader Must Be - Part 4

The Ethic of Responsibility

Ethics are "principles or standards that guide professionals to do moral or right things - what ought to be done."

We all have responsibilities.  The question here is, how well do we handle our ethical responsibility?  Leadership places three ethical responsibilities in our lap:

1. Be a Role Model - Like it or not, your life is on display: actions will speak louder than words.  Those following your leadership will mimic your actions.  If you work hard, then those following will work hard.  If you criticize leadership, then those around you will follow your cue and criticize leadership.  As a leader, you are accepting an obligation (another word for responsibility) to be a worthy role model.  If you think your actions do not affect others, you may want to look at your people closer...Kindness, respect for others, and compassion show in your actions.  If you lift people up, they will learn to lift people up.
2. Developing Ethics in Others - Your modeling will rub off on others.  Your duty is to not only model ethics but teach it and expect it from those who are led.  You shape their ethics by teaching them to support the values of your company, your organization, or even the country.  Subordinates respond to your personal attention and through training them how to deal with situations that involve ethical matters.  Guide them through exercises that involve ethical problems and discuss how they would handle the situation and compare how you may have settled the situation.  When faced with real time ethical matters, your leadership will show in how well the subordinate received your teaching.  Do not be afraid of this area of training.  Subordinates respect you more when they know what you are thinking.  War creates confusion and uncertainty, but proper training will help them develop the moral fortitude needed to get things done right.  The same works in everyday leadership.  When faced with  tough decision, proper training will result in moral strength that will honor your organiztions values.
3. Avoid Creating Ethical Dilemmas - never ask someone to cross their own ethical and moral barometers - because those who want to please you will cross lines to get things done.  For example, these things will get you in trouble:

• I don't care how you get it done - just do it!
• There is no excuse for failure!
• Covering up errors to look good
• Telling superiors what they want to hear
• Making reports say what your superiors wants to see
• Setting up goals that are impossible to reach (mission without resources)
• Loyalty up - not down

You may be able to handle certain ethical matters - don't assume your people can do the same.  Protect them and you will protect yourself.