Stepping Stones To Ethical Leadership

By Russ Williams

In an article that appeared in Business Ethics magazine, Gael O’Brien, author, national consultant to businesses asked: “Will a CEO’s commitment to sustainability have the enduring motivation to do the hard work of building ethical and responsible corporate policies and practices?”   

Gael offered a CEO commitment game plan in her Stepping Stones to Ethical Leadership. These ten key action items will help shape and sustain leadership and organizational credibility. These actions are especially important for leaders facing ethical challenges: 

1.Own what the organization stands for, its mission, vision & values. 

2.Listen to what is alleged. 

3.Resist the reflex to defend, explain, or justify. 

4.Make it safe for people to talk to you. 

5.Seek out facts through unbiased, independent channels. 

6.Convene smart people with relevant expertise to discuss and disagree. 

 7.Focus on whether the right questions are being asked. 

 8.Ensure a credible process for arriving at decisions with will withstand public scrutiny. 

9.Believe in and utilize the value of two-way, transparent communication. 

10.Understand that employees watch and trust a leader’s actions more than a leader’s words. 

These Stepping Stones To Ethical Leadership are a pathway for business leaders to walk with clarity of commitment building ethical practices that create the culture of trust. 

“The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.”                                                                                                                          -Warren Bennis  

Mission Integrity Action 

No organization is immune to ethical challenges. The question of sustainability of organizations facing such challenge rests on the shoulders of leaders who choose either to build a wall or build a path. As a leader of integrity, the choice to build a path of managing ethical turbulence is the choice that shapes trusted organizations. Trust-driven organizations and their leaders of Integrity can find sustained value by institutionalizing the placement of these stable stepping stones!  

Journeying with you...inspiring ethical excellence!  

Russ Williams contributes articles on professional growth for readers of California Broker Magazine. He serves as a mentor advisor and offers one-on-one professional consultations based on The Clarity Conversation, a 9-Session Self Renewal Consultation focused on overcoming nagging personal-professional challenges to re-claim personal-professional clarity renewing your influence for good at home, at work, and in the community.