Over the decades, various thought leaders proposed different sets of principles of leadership. From the authoritarian leader to the relaxed leader, various organizations tried different ways of managing people and resources. Some of these models succeeded, others failed. But there are lessons to be learned from all. And right now, what works best for a successful organization is the model of ethical leadership.
Every professional understands the importance of ethics and applies it. We speak of work ethics, good morals, honor, integrity, and honesty in what we do in our private lives and professional careers. This is a good starting point for grasping the principles of ethical leadership.
Why the Growing Need for Ethical Leadership?
The challenges we faced last year proved that people are resourceful and adaptable. Employees working from home learned to manage their time and complete their tasks under reduced supervision.
Thus, a question arose: are leaders really that necessary? What kind of role can they perform in the future? The answer is yes, without a doubt. An inspirational and skilled leader can manage a remote team successfully and make sure that team members work for the main goals of the organization.
However, these new leaders need to leave aside their personal egos and adapt to a world that asks more from them: not just intelligence, but empathy; not just vision, but accountability. Thus, the concept of ethical leadership grew stronger and now has a clear set of principles.
The Six Principles of Leadership
The principles of leadership can be summarized by the acronym FATHER. Let’s look at all the principles from the FATHER Framework™ defined by the Founder and CEO of GreatWorkLife.com, Barry D. Moore.
Fairness
An efficient leader is always fair. They do not favor some employees, while treating others unfairly. They offer praise and criticism when they are needed, to anyone needing them.
When some employees always seem to get away with rule-breaking while others are rebuked for minor mistakes, the culture of unfairness will create a toxic, underperforming team. Thus, fairness is one of the key principles of ethical leadership.
Accountability
Good leaders admit their mistakes and accept to be held accountable for bad decisions. They do not try to place blame elsewhere or find excuses. They take responsibility for their actions and strive to remedy the damage done.
This attitude inspires the entire team to act in the same manner. And a company where everyone is accountable, where there is no witch hunt or finger-pointing, will always outperform other organizations.
Trust
Employees need to trust their leaders, and leaders need to trust their employees. This is the basic work dynamic in any organization. Lack of trust leads to micromanagement, poor performance caused by stress, and, in the end, reduced productivity and failure to reach business goals.
Every team — be it in sports, in entertainment, in business, or in politics — relies on trust. It is the element that glues together different personalities and makes them act in a way that achieves the desired result. Therefore, trust belongs among the key principles of ethical leadership.
Honesty
Honesty is beyond telling the truth. It is the courage of discussing difficult topics openly, admitting mistakes, and even apologizing. Lack of honesty leads to lack of trust. Thus, the various principles of ethical leadership are interconnected. You cannot choose one and discard the other.
Equality
Equality is one of the hottest topics at a global level right now. It affects politics, business, and the entertainment world alike. Everyone should be treated equally, irrespective of their gender, age, race, and other personal attributes.
The only factor leaders must consider in evaluating and treating employees is how they perform in their roles. Nothing else is acceptable.
Respect
We finally reached the last principle of ethical leadership. In this context, respect goes beyond the courteous treatment we owe people. Leaders must learn to respect their employees’ opinions, even if they are different from theirs. They must respect diversity in thought, in doing things, and understanding concepts such as happiness, success, and reward.
When everyone respects everyone else, the team will truly be one body of professionals working for the achievement of the same purpose. And this will make you a successful leader.
This article was originally published on pldx.org.
