Five Key Indicators for Ethical Leadership

Transformational leaders understand that development and motivation are essential for organizations to achieve their fullest potential. While transformational leadership can be an effective way to create positive change within an organization, it is also important to consider the ethical implications of this style of leadership. The idea that leaders must be role models and inspire others to act in accordance with their values and principles is at the core of the practice, but how do we know if we are acting in alignment with our highest intentions? What are the indicators of ethical leadership?

Here are five key indicators which demonstrate a high level of ethical awareness:

1. Consistency in behavior: An individual with high ethical awareness consistently demonstrates ethical behavior, regardless of the situation or who is involved.
2. Openness to feedback: Someone with high ethical awareness is open to feedback and constructive criticism and is willing to make changes based on that feedback.
3. Transparency: An individual with high ethical awareness is transparent in their actions and decision-making processes and is willing to explain the reasoning behind their choices.
4. Respect for others: A person with high ethical awareness demonstrates respect for the rights, feelings, and needs of others, and takes into consideration the potential impact of their actions on others.
5. Honesty and integrity: Individuals with high ethical awareness are honest and demonstrate integrity in their actions, even when it may be difficult or inconvenient.

Transformational leadership can be a force for positive change and leaders must be mindful of the potential impact of their actions and decisions on others and must strive to act in a manner that is both ethical and socially responsible. Our teams and organizations watch what we say and do. When our actions match our words, we send a powerful message about our integrity, our consistency, and the durability of our ethics.