THE ETHICS OF LEADERSHIP Ethical leaders exist in all walks of life. They are the individuals who step forward when crises occur, come to the rescue of others and generally do what's right—no matter what. Anyone can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? In today's highvisibility, social world, more people are taking note of leaders’ behavior and holding them accountable.
WHAT IS ETHICS? Ethics is defined as "moral principles that govern a person's behavior by which people conduct themselves personally, socially or professionally." Ethical leaders are not afraid to do what they believe is right, even if it is unpopular. As a leader, your reputation is critical and when you make unethical decisions, people will remember them for a long time. Whether in your future career or everyday life, ethics is what creates a fair, safe and trustworthy environment for everyone.
Ethics is essential for all organizations to be successful—from a major corporation to your local DECA chapter. We all face ethical challenges, and effective ethical leaders will stand up for what they believe is right. As a DECA member, you will need to make many choices and it is crucial to think about the ethical principles that aid in making wise choices and ethical decisions (i.e., integrity, trust, accountability, transparency, fairness, respect, rule of law and viability). Companies, schools and DECA chapters will often have a code of conduct to set-up clear expectations and what that organization's ethics are and any requirements that are expected of the employee, student or chapter member.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER | 2020
DEBBIE TAYLOR | DECA Inc. Leadership Specialist
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