'What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?', Harvard Professional and Executive Education

This blog provides an introduction to ‘ethical leadership’. Ethical leadership emphasises leaders making decisions that benefit the common good, prioritising integrity and societal impact over self-interest or short-term profit. The article asserts six principles that underpin ethical leadership:

1. Respect: mutual respect is essential, creating a workplace where open dialogue and collaboration thrive.
2. Accountability: leaders take responsibility for their actions and model integrity, fostering trust.
3. Service: ethical leaders prioritise the welfare of employees, customers, and communities, often through service-oriented initiatives.
4. Honesty: transparency builds trust, helping leaders establish credibility with employees and customers.
5. Justice: fairness is key, as ethical leaders work to create equitable environments.
6. Community: Leaders view organisations as communities, embedding inclusion and collaboration into decision-making.