What is the Greater Good? As leaders, we must think beyond our own interests to the interests of those we lead and serve, and the interests of communities and the world. We must take a long-term view, keeping in mind the broad effects of our day-to-day decisions. Many people refer to the "greater good" as an important part of leading ethically, and use different words to describe it. The descriptions collectively paint a picture of a responsibility to think beyond ourselves and to work for a better, inclusive society.
Category: Ethical Thinking
Reflections on Respecting Differences
Quotations About the Importance of Respecting Differences I hope that you enjoy this collection of quotes about respecting differences. Notice how many different compelling reasons for respecting differences are included - some from unexpected sources! Toward no crime have men…
Complexity, Creativity and Collaboration
Diversity of Ideas Provides Perspective When dealing with complexity, we need fresh thinking. We need to listen to all ideas that may help, regardless of where they come from in the organization. That involves giving up the notion that we are "right."
What is Creativity?
What is Creativity? In the leadership development world, creativity is getting a great deal of attention now. But what is it? Can you learn it? Is it a skill? How do we lead in ways that encourage it? This post begins to answer those important leadership questions. When we explore the question "What is creativity?" from a thinking and learning point of view, an open and active mind is clearly required - one that can see new possibilities. But is there more to it than that? This post explores the variables that make up what we think of as "creativity."
Developing Globally Responsible Leaders
Laws serve as minimum standards for society, but responsible leadership requires that we go well beyond those minimum standards. As the leaders who will help shape the future of our businesses and our societies through small actions and big decisions, we need a global sense of responsibility. This post explores what it means to be a globally responsible leader and what kinds of learning opportunities help leaders develop a global sense of responsibility.
Scholars and Practitioners: Debate or Collaborate?
Scholars and Practitioners Working Together Scholars and practitioners see the world from different perspectives in making ethical leadership practices clear, providing an opportunity for them to learn from one another. It takes both a research focus and a focus on real-world relevance to provide the kind of clarity that today's leaders need.
The Adaptability Paradox
The well worn path that we have followed for years is easy to follow. We know the rules, the processes, the tools, the pitfalls and all other aspects of that path. Our comfort with that path makes it harder for us to see that even though the 'way we have always done things' has led us to success in the past, it may not in the future.
Ethical Leadership and…Vitamin D Deficiency
In my research I found that Vitamin D3 deficiency is being studied as a possible missing link in the research about a number of diverse health problems including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Autism, Cardiovascular Disease, Asthma, Dementia, Depression and Cancer. It is being talked about as a factor in our DNA being able to naturally repair itself (see the details in the articles and links below).
Top 100 Thinkers in Management, Leadership and Business
It is no surprise that there is not just one list of thinkers in management, leadership and business. There are many, and they vary in scope and topic. Here is a wonderful sampling of some of the top thinkers that impact business, management and responsible leadership:
Thinking Ethically: 5 Sources
How Will People Learn to Think Ethically if We Don't Teach Them? While we place a heavy emphasis on corporate education and childhood education as a nation, we don't often see "learning to think ethically" on the classroom agenda or the corporate training schedule. How can people be expected to navigate the complexities of life and work responsibly without learning how to think ethically?
“Respectful Workplaces” Video
New Video Explains the Importance of Respect in the Workplace Today's post features a video for leaders that is currently available at no cost in an effort to educate leaders about the importance of building respectful workplaces. And Highlights Recent…
Understanding Leader Bias: 5 Sources
5 Sources for Understanding and Avoiding Leader Bias 1. "The Vision Renewal Process: How to Achieve Bias-Free Leadership" Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D. Worforce Diversity Networ
Ethical Leaders Care
Many Programs Focus on Risk While many ethics programs focus on the risk side of ethics - compliance with laws and regulations, avoiding lawsuits, etc., there is an equally important side of ethics that involves helping others develop their own skills and abilities in ways that support the organization's mission. One important aspect of ethical leadership that may be overlooked when we view ethics using a "legal lens" is developing the performance potential of the people we lead. If we only think about following laws and avoiding legal problems, we may miss the important aspects of care that are part of ethical leadership.
Leading Ethically is the New Leading
All of us who lead and develop leaders need to be tuned in to the "New Leading." To embrace the "New Leading," we need to realize that leadership and ethics are joined in important ways. Many leaders have traditionally thought of ethics and leadership as two different things. That fragmented way of thinking is part of why we've reached a point where there are so many examples of ethical violations in the news. What Really Happens When We Separate "Leading" From "Ethically?"?
Ethics at the Intersection
Why is it such a challenge to determine how we interpret "ethical leadership?" Because there are many different ways of determining what we consider to be ethical. Even while trying to be responsible we can still miss the mark by a mile. Consider some of the possible ways that a leader might interpret ethics.
Leading in Context 