Ethical Leaders Don’t Put the Brakes on Learning

By Linda Fisher Thornton

When leaders stop learning, they generate friction. Professionals who work with a leader who has “put the brakes on learning” are likely to experience conflict and dissatisfaction. A leader’s failure to learn starts a chain reaction that harms individuals and teams.

How a Leader Who Puts the Brakes on Learning Affects a Team

Leader decisions based on outdated information frustrate competent team members and reduce their effectiveness.
Uninformed leader decisions often stray into unethical territory, with the leader pushing forward, pressuring team members to do what they know is not ethical right.
Some highly talented team members working with an uninformed leader begin to look for other work.
Team members pressured to do things they know are not ethically right leave the team to find better working conditions.
The departure of highly talented team members further reduces the effectiveness of the team.
The reputation of the team is damaged, making it hard to attract good people to fill positions.
Positions that remained unfilled put additional pressure on existing team members. More team members may decide to leave to find better leadership.

When leaders put the brakes on learning, it cripples the whole team, starting a downward spiral to ineffectiveness. It damaged reputation and engagement metrics. It affects results.

Ethical Leaders Learn

Responsible leaders know that learning must continue for a lifetime. Only then can they be ready to make ethical choices as they handle the challenges of leadership.

Good drivers don’t drive with the emergency brake on. Good leaders don’t put the brakes on learning.