The road to ethical leadership development

The journey of ethical leadership development is a lifelong pursuit and the final destination is always further down the road.  The last two posts discussed some of the characteristics of the ethical leader and the daily focus of the ethical business leader.  To discuss leadership implies a destination.  Where will we be a year from now as we continue to focus on our regular endeavours?  The ethical leader must establish and impart a long-term vision, take others along the journey and gauge whether goals are being achieved.

Ethical leaders establish a vision.   Ethical leaders must constantly remind the team of the company’s worthy vision or its raison d'être.  Employees will toil when they know their contribution is adding to the greater good.  The ethical leader serves as the champion for the vision, charged with keeping the lofty goals as “top of mind” with its stakeholders.  Any company or board of directors can create a vision statement strewn with the latest buzz words and catch phrases.  The ethical leader not only believes in the vision but acts in a manner consistent with fulfilling the vision.  Savitz and Weber conducted research with Ohio-based energy provider AEP.  The company’s vision was to provide a safe environment for workers through a “zero harm” policy.  Savitz and Weber outline Edgar Schein’s three components of organizational culture: Artefacts (“what we do”), Espoused Values (“what we say”) and Underlying Assumptions (“what we believe”).  If all three are not aligned, it is difficult to pursue organizational goals.  For example, if the company states that safety is important but does very little aside from posting the obligatory signage to promote safety, a conflicting message will demoralize and confuse employees.  Ethical leaders establish and maintain the vision, taking the necessary steps for success.

Ethical leaders take others on the journey.  Ethical leaders are not lone wolves.  They work in an ecosystem that depends on multiple layers of responsibility, employees with varying degrees of knowledge and expertise and numerous other obligations.  No leader can do everything.  This was probably one of the most difficult things for me to learn.  When entrepreneurs start a venture, they are typically doing all sorts of things as chief cook and bottle washer.  In order to scale the business, this immature attitude must change.  And there is no room for ego.  A common theme with entrepreneurs who grow businesses is entrusting certain aspects of the company to individuals who are much more capable.  Continue hiring folks who are smarter and better in certain areas, and focus on the business of ethically leading the business.  Hiring and retaining top talent is facilitated by the organization’s worthy vision.  People want to be part of something special, and as an ethical leader, it is important to groom others to fulfill the vision.

Ethical leaders gauge success.  Ethical leaders must keep the ship on course and constantly monitor whether goals are met.  The ethical leader is responsible for establishing the proper steps to fulfill the vision.  In our example concerning AEP and its “zero harm” policy, how this is to be accomplished must be clearly outlined.  A good rule for all leaders when establishing objectives that further an organization’s vision is to follow S.M.A.R.T.  (There seems to be some uncertainty as to who is responsible for coining the acronym.)  A “smart” objective is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.  For example, a person stating that they want to get healthier is not using the “smart” guideline.  On the other hand, a person claiming that they want to get healthier by losing 10 pounds in three months through a combination of diet and regular exercise is using the “smart” approach.  The only way ethical leaders can realistically pursue success is by creating tangible bit-sized morsels from the company’s long-term vision.  These objectives can be gauged by the ethical leader to monitor whether the ship is headed to the right destination.

Ethical leaders create a worthy vision, take others along for the ride and constantly monitor results.  Without the vision, leaders are not leaders at all because leaders are on a journey to a specific place.  One of the main duties of the ethical leader is to champion the vision and help others understand its significance.  Without vision, it is impossible to hire and retain the best talent since human beings have an innate desire to be part of something that contributes to the greater good.  Gauging success is a fool’s errand without vision: If your destination is nowhere in particular, you’ll certainly get there.