Ethics are Essential to Leadership

Many leaders find themselves with the dilemma of being popular versus making the sometimes difficult, yet necessary decisions. True leaders understand that leadership requires managing by following one's principles, and being guided by what is ethical and responsible.

In many organizations, this battle is exacerbated by the fact that it is often difficult to find qualified leaders, as well as by the fact that the vast majority of organizations do not have any type of true leadership training. In the past three decades, I have observed that while most organizations believe that they engage in leadership training, since this training does not encompass those necessities of leadership, and are generally neither professionally prepared or presented, little is achieved. The obstacle is that since most existing leaders are neither trained nor fully qualified, and therefore do not fully understand how to train leaders, it is often difficult for those "leaders" to "let go," and permit an organized, consistent and ongoing leadership training program to be conducted.

In general, human nature is such that most people strive to be liked and/or admired. However, since being liked is not a guiding principle for effective leadership, there is often a breakdown in the leadership process. Doing the right thing for the organization, without fear of hurting one's popularity, is, in fact, essential to effective leadership.

Leaders must be guided by the principles of morality, ethics, and, specifically, being guided by what is in the best interests of the organization. Effective leaders realize that doing that many not be popular, but is often necessary. Undoubtedly, there would be more effective and qualified leaders if organizations prioritized professional and ongoing leadership training.

In observing organizations for three decades, I am consistently amazed that following principles and ethics is the exception rather than the rule. If an organization is to fluorish, it needs effective leadership.