21 Ethical Leadership Examples

Which of the following is not a principle of ethical leadership — respect, transparency, integrity?

Trick question: They all are! Ethical leadership is relatively easy to define, yet harder to master. Ethical leadership is when an individual establishes a set of values and principles he or she wants an organization to live and work by, and follows the example themselves. The foundations of ethical leadership often revolve around the principles of respect, trust, transparency, honesty and integrity. 

But what does that look like? Which leadership style is likely to be ineffective at promoting ethical conduct? Instead of elaborating on which of the following is not a principle of ethical leadership, let’s jump right in with some good examples of ethical leadership.

1. Lead by example.

The first of our examples of ethical leadership is the actions of the leader. Simply put, the leader sets the tone in showing how accountability applies to ethical considerations in leadership and management. Even in large organizations where the head of the company doesn’t necessarily interact with many of the employees, the examples every leader sets and lives by will filter throughout the company.

2. Take the time to listen.

This sounds obvious, but an ethical leader needs to always be listening to what others are saying. This certainly doesn’t mean that everything must be acted upon, but people need to know they have a voice, and leaders are responsible for letting them know they’re heard. 

3. Always be consistent.

Another of the important examples of ethical leadership is being consistent. Once a leader establishes the values of a company, he or she needs to stick to them. Over time, even the smallest deviations add up and become noticeable. 

4. Make decisions based on your values.

Decisions are often difficult to make, particularly when money is a factor. But with each and every decision, big or small, an ethical leader must weigh it against the morals, ethics and values that they have set. Saying it and doing it are two different things.  

5. Surround yourself with ethical people.

One example of ethical leadership takes place early on. Look to hire people who are already aligned with company values. This doesn’t mean to look for clones of yourself, as diversity of culture and experience is crucial to a truly ethical workplace. But knowing that potential colleagues value respect, trust, transparency, honesty and integrity is a really great start.

6. Make communication a priority.

An open and easy forum for communication throughout an organization is essential for an ethical workplace. And it starts with the one in charge. Make communication a two-way street and be sure it’s easy to do — and consequence free.

7. Honesty is the best policy.

Communication is one thing, but if a leader isn’t being truthful, what is it worth? Even the smallest white lies eventually get bigger, and that will erode the trust built. This is one of the most important examples of ethical leadership. 

8. Be transparent in everything you do.

You can tell employees what decisions are being made, but it may not mean much unless they know why they’re being made. Being transparent about the what, when, why and how engages employees and makes them feel united with the organization.

9. Do the right thing — even when you don’t want to.

Having the courage to make the right decision, even if the potential outcome is unpleasant, is necessary when it comes to ethical leadership. Many times, these decisions result in job losses, which is always painful. This one of many examples of ethical leadership that is difficult but necessary for a healthy business.

10. Always be respectful.

Circling back to our first question, which of the following is not a principle of ethical leadership, respect can’t be emphasized enough. It seems fairly obvious, but you might be surprised how many people don’t treat others with equal amounts of respect. Ethical leadership means instilling that no matter who someone is in an organization, respect for everyone is essential.

11. Build a community.

Many of us spend more time with our co-workers than we do at home with our families. So, establishing a strong community is incredibly important to building trust. Not everyone is always going to like one another, but mutual respect always goes a long way.

12. Enforce the rules.

If you ask which leadership style is likely to be ineffective at promoting ethical conduct, your employees might say this one. Though this may be one of the least popular examples of ethical leadership, it’s important to show discipline is in place. Sometimes being a great ethical leader means that you have to be tough. 

13. Have empathy for everybody.

Every leader must understand that individuals are dealing with many different things in their work lives and personal lives. Sometimes these things can cause poor performance on the job. Helping employees cope with the things that are bothering them is one of the examples of ethical leadership that is sometimes overlooked but always important. 

14. Make informed decisions.

Being an ethical leader means having to make a lot of big decisions. Sometimes, they need to be made quickly. But they should also be made thoughtfully, with all relevant information and potential outcomes carefully considered. 

15. Be accountable.

How does accountability apply to ethical considerations in leadership and management?

If we’re not accountable for our actions, our ethics cannot be achieved. The more leadership is accountable for its actions, the more employees will be compelled to be accountable for theirs, too. 

16. Don’t delay in dealing with problems.

When asking, “how does accountability apply to ethical considerations in leadership and management”, it’s important to consider the speed with which critical issues are addressed. The longer critical issues go unattended, the bigger problems they become. Employees can be sensitive to things not being dealt with in a timely fashion, which can lead to unease, distrust, and a lack of productivity. Leaders are accountable for not only the decisions they make, but in how timely those decisions are made. 

17. Be aware of bias.

Most people have tendencies to think or even assume things about people we don’t even know. One of the important examples of ethical leadership is to cultivate an atmosphere where everyone challenges those assumptions — in their own thoughts, words, and actions, and in others. 

18. Training and support

Ensuring everyone in an organization has the proper training for their job can play a positive
role in how accountability applies to ethical considerations in leadership and management. The same is true for providing a support system to minimize the amount of job-induced stress. This is another of many examples of ethical leadership that seems obvious, but is not always done well at organizations. 

19. Be prepared.

Great leaders are ready for the unforeseen. They spend time thinking about circumstances that may happen but haven’t yet. Having a plan of action in place is important to stay ahead of what could become larger issues.

20. Don’t lose the human connection.

When wondering which leadership style is likely to be ineffective at promoting ethical conduct, remember that a seen leader is an effective leader. With technology becoming so important in the way we communicate, it’s vital to keep the human touch. Be spotted in the hallways. Eat lunch in the cafeteria. Get to know your employees. All the memos, emails and videos in the world can’t replace good old-fashioned, face-to-face conversation.

21. Take care of yourself.

Great ethical leaders need to take care of themselves, too. Taking the time needed to stay healthy, both mentally and physically, is essential. Because if they’re not happy and content, their empathy for other’s happiness and contentment is diminished. It’s one of the most important examples of ethical leadership, not to mention great advice for everyone.

Are you inspired to become an ethical leader? 

At Thomas More University, we believe ethical leadership is the foundation to the success of an organization. And this is nothing new for us. We’ve been living it since 1921. 

Our BA in Ethical Leadership program will ground you in the basics, empowering you to determine for yourself which leadership style is likely to be ineffective at promoting ethical conduct, how does accountability apply to ethical considerations in leadership and management, and important answers to other issues in ethical leadership. 

You’ll develop skills like creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking to set you on the path to becoming a leader guided by ethics first. And since every organization can benefit from ethical leadership, you’ll be in demand for jobs across many industries, depending on your interests and passions.