Although sound moral judgment is an important characteristic of an effective leader, it is not as important as a leader’s ability to maintain the respect of his or her peers.
This appeared in the issue task section of Magoosh’s GRE practice test. Here is my take on it.
The argument presented is flawed in the assumption of the author that sound moral judgment and maintaining respect among peers are two disparate traits. I hold my position against the statement which not only fails to take into account that sound moral judgment is instrumental in earning respect among peers but also measures the importance of that respect on a different scale than moral judgment. Sound moral judgment is pivotal to earning respect among the peers of the leader. An estimable leader cannot be merely striving for the respect of his peers as a means to an end, rather he/she achieves the honor from his/her peers as a by-product of his/her praiseworthy leadership qualities, of which sound moral judgment is an inseparable entity.
The ability to distinguish right from wrong in a particular situation is an essential skill that has separated effective leaders from others. Although scaling right and wrong can be subjective and circumscribed by surroundings, an effective leader’s objectivity craves out the solutions ripe for the particular problem at hand. Time and again, our history has presented us with leaders like Martin Luther King, George Washington, and Mahatma Gandhi. Not only did these people galvanized change but also effectively led society in the right direction. Most importantly, sound moral judgment was an integral part of their leadership traits. This very skillset them apart from many of their contemporary leaders. Moreover, they were bestowed with honors and respect not only from their peers but also the general mass, who time and again have looked up to them for moral guidance in times of crisis.
Sound moral judgment is an integral part of earning and maintaining the respect of peers for anybody. A leader cannot be cited as an effective one unless he/she has portraited a moral compass that can inspire his/her followers as well as peers. Effective leaders in the field of science, business and arts have always been the ones who we can trust and follow in times of moral crisis. These people are the ones who we look upto for guidance and inspiration in the darkest of all moments. If they do not possess a sound moral judgment, then not only will it lead to an erosion of trust but can also lead to catastrophic results. The deadly of all wars that humanity has ever fought, were largely influenced by people who lacked a sound moral judgement and were guided by their prejudice which made them seek the respect of their peers over anything else.
