The critical importance of effective leadership for Business Ethics

How important the work ethic to be an effective leader? According to the American Management Association, is an important characteristic of effective leaders today. In a survey of 462 executives who were asked, "What characteristics are necessary to be an effective leader today?" 56% ranked ethical behavior as an important feature, followed by sound judgment (51%) and being adaptable / flexible (47%).

However, with all due respect to the AMA survey, I firmly believe that it is much more "important", is a characteristic "critical, essential and non-negotiable" an effective leader. Business ethics is a strong pillar of my strategic planning and strategic thinking business education efforts every day. Customers are encouraged to develop a set of values ​​and guiding principles and publish them for their customers and stakeholders to know that this is their way of doing business. Besides, customers are constantly reminded to ensure that core values ​​are demonstrated in everything they do.

Examples of unethical behavior abound in stories of business around the world. And individuals witness some form of unethical behavior in their workplace every day. Unethical behavior where people deliberately intend to harm themselves or others, develops from and is reinforced by, destructive moods, such as fear, greed, anger and jealousy. The contract, ethical behavior enhances the welfare of all, because identification of the developed and strengthened by strong motivations and emotions as love, joy, generosity and compassion.

We need to ask these questions: "How ethically vulnerable is our company or organization?" "What are the core values ​​and guiding principles of our company or organization?" "We are committed to live and to expose our core values ​​in everything we do?" The answers to these questions define the state of ethics in our business.

Leadership in the company has set the standard and "walk the talk" when it comes to ethical behavior. There can be no ethical compromise. There can be no "ethics waiver". A leader must constantly keep his actions above suspicion. If the leaders are committed to that high level, there will be no Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, Adelphia and ethical collapse.

Knowing what is right is very important for business and personal ethics. Doing what is right is absolutely essential for personal and business ethics. A strong ongoing commitment to fundamental values ​​and guiding principles of your company or organization will bring the right ethical decisions and actions. Without these actions, all you have is good intentions and that simply is not enough for effective leadership....