“Decisions in the Spotlight: Mastering Ethical Leadership Under Public Scrutiny”
“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett
Understanding Ethics in Leadership
Ethics is about knowing right from wrong, good from evil, and what’s just or unjust; it’s also about our actions and decision-making. Ethics forms the foundation of societal trust and integrity. According to the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (2023), 49% of U.S. employees reported observing workplace misconduct, emphasizing the need for ethical leadership practices. Ethics is not about self-interest but doing the right thing for all parties involved. Ethics is not just for individuals but also for organizations.
Additionally, ethics has to do with the principles and the values an individual possesses. Ethics is foundational, impacting every fabric of our being and societal behavior, which is significant because it defines who we are and how we show up. It is the bedrock for trust, respect, integrity, and fair decisions. It symbolizes justice, equality, inclusion, and the common good, creating a structure for harmonious living.
The Prevalence of Workplace Misconduct
Misconduct can include but is not limited to harassment, discrimination, breach of trust, plagiarism, theft, conflict of interests, and abuse. A survey showed that 86% of workplace misconduct involved individuals in managerial roles, underscoring systemic challenges in enforcing ethical behavior (Ethics & Compliance Initiative, 2023).
As a woman of color, I have experienced harassment and discrimination, which is one of the reasons I have moved many times. You can put your heart and soul into something, never making a dent, leaving hopelessness, disappointment, isolation, invisibleness, and despair. Psychological safety is key to providing a safe space for cultivating trust and is instrumental in sustaining high-valued and high-performing teams.
Reporting Misconduct and Facing Retaliation
I have also experienced retaliation because of reporting wrongdoing, which is why many cases go unreported. Among employees who reported workplace misconduct, 79% experienced retaliation, which creates a barrier to addressing ethical violations (Ethics & Compliance Initiative, 2023).
The individual reporting injustices experiences isolation, rebuke, and assassination of one’s character and credibility. You’re labeled a troublemaker, not a team player, and basically “blackballed.” So, rather than stay and fight, it was a sign to leave for my physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Ethical Culture Strength
From my experience, having a strong ethical culture is more of a myth than a reality. Globally, only 14% of employees believe their organization has a strong ethical culture, highlighting the gap between policy and practice (Ethics & Compliance Initiative, 2023).
Most businesses advocate for ethical leadership in their mission and vision statements. Yet, it is non-existent in the hearts and minds of employees. So, we try blocking it out as we go about our daily lives, hoping for a better future.
Public Perception of Ethics in Society
A Pew Research Center study found that a median of 78% across 40 countries consider extramarital affairs morally unacceptable, showing diverse global perspectives on ethics (Pew Research Center, 2014).
Attitudes toward issues like abortion, gambling, homosexuality, and alcohol consumption vary significantly by region. I am finding a sway in public opinion on many of these polarizing issues, and this will continue as the winds of change are constant.
The Decline in Perceived Morality
This perception has remained steady over decades. Global perceptions consistently suggest that ethical standards are declining, despite varying trends in actual behavior (Greater Good Magazine, 2023).
Growing up in a religious household, I have seen it used to control and manipulate to satisfy the whims of individuals seeking self-interests, leading to overindulgence and gluttony at someone else’s expense. Unethical behavior erodes trust, dissolves partnerships and businesses, and destroys relationships and marriages—creating isolation, despair, confusion, unrest, and chaos.
Ethical Behavior in Society
Gallup’s global research shows that individuals who attended religious services in the past week demonstrated higher generosity rates, including donating money and volunteering, compared to non-attendees (Gallup Global Research).
From my experience, ethical behavior varies significantly in religious, nonreligious, and geographical locations, which is unsurprising. Based on this, we should familiarize ourselves with the various customs to avoid offending and being awkward. When entering conservative areas, women are required to cover up. Being mindful of these things aids in blending in and becoming a part of the group. Many consider high crime areas lacking moral fortitude compared to regions that exhibit ethical behavior.
Implications
Building a strong ethical culture in the workplace is essential for reducing misconduct and ensuring whistleblowers are protected. On a broader scale, societal views on morality influence public policies and community relationships. At the same time, individual actions, whether rooted in religious beliefs or secular values, are key to shaping and maintaining ethical standards, demonstrating the importance of promoting integrity and accountability across all areas of life. The reality is that injustice exists regardless of where you travel; unfortunately, there’s no way to escape it.
Call to Action
Ethical leadership is about more than policies—it’s about action. Leaders and organizations must:
1. Cultivate an Ethical Culture: Invest in ethics training and create safe spaces for reporting misconduct.
2. Lead by Example: Model integrity and transparency in all decisions.
3. Encourage Accountability: Foster environments where everyone feels responsible for upholding ethical standards.
Start now: Reflect on one area where ethical practices can improve in your organization or life. Commit to taking actionable steps toward fostering a culture of trust and integrity.
References:
Ethics & Compliance Initiative. (2023). Global business ethics survey: Measuring the impact of ethics & compliance programs. Retrieved from
https://www.ethics.org
Pew Research Center. (2014). What’s morally acceptable? It depends on where in the world you live. Retrieved from
https://www.pewresearch.org
Greater Good Magazine. (2023). Are people really becoming less ethical?. Retrieved from
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu
Gallup Global Research. (2023). Understanding the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of people around the world. Retrieved from
https://www.gallup.com
