Ethical

#Beingaleader means you need to be ethical and act in an ethical manner. The idea is that you need to have, and then act on, your moral compass. I know most professions have their professional ethical code of conduct whether you’re a lawyer or a doctor or whatever. But I’m not not talking about the legalities of staying within compliance of your profession. I’m talking about doing what’s right.

There are all kinds of scenarios where this comes into play. Dilemmas that you encounter. Dilemmas you see others do (whether people under or over you). Dilemmas you get asked about. In each situation, your moral compass can be called upon at any minute. Sometimes it’s wanted and even sought out. Other times it becomes a big headache as to whether to call out something or not.

The ideal is to have others know your moral compass and rely on your ethics by asking you questions and seeking your advice. This is ideal because it means your moral compass and ethics are obvious enough for others to see. You are an example to them. While they might not share your ethical or moral worldview, they seek out your opinion or trust you enough to give them an honest answer.

The less ideal is when you see an issue in others or in your organization and you need to decide what to say, what not to say, how to say it, etc. Sometimes you get asked to do something you know isn’t right. Your moral compass should win. Sometimes you see what others are doing and it’s just a bit harder to know what to do. Oftentimes staying in your lane is the best thing you can do without risking everything over something over which you have no control. For example, I’ve never been a boycott person. When a company or organization does something you don’t like (political, religious, cultural or whatever) many people like to boycott. I know there are good people at all of these companies and so I don’t want to negatively affect their livelihood nor is it even possible for me to be consistent in any moral outrage since most companies do some things I don’t like. But it’s your moral compass you need to live by.

#Beingaleader means you need to be and act in an ethical manner. Live like who you are.