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In the spotlight Leadership in a digital-age!  

The message to Readers, be aware of the implications and consequences! 

With most aspects of private and Business life in the public arena, never before has ethical and moral behaviour, standards of integrity and honesty been more important. 

Morality refers to an individual's internal sense of right and wrong, doing the ‘right’ thing.   Business ethics are the principles and values that guide corporate conduct, decision-making and stakeholder interactions. These compass honesty, fairness and transparency that go beyond legal requirements. 

Today’s digital–era presents a new set of circumstances. It exposes personal life and professional conduct, and the repercussions when the two collide very publicly!  The slightest of misdemeanors potentially has and do bring down the mightiest of Companies and their Leaders. You have seen the headlines! No Industry is immune or can slip under the radar. 

Ethics and morality are about the Leader who demonstrates these values both inside and outside the Company.  Breach of that code undermines trust and confidence in both Leaders and the Organistions reputation. 

There is the moral manager who promotes ethics through standards and structure along with the moral person who embodies those values in interpersonal relationships, sound moral judgement and personal behaviour. Delve into leadership psychology for more on this subject. 

It’s now apparent after the recent fallout of the very public concert images that when the custodians of ethics, those at the top break the rules, organisational trust, creditability and culture suffer.  These are the damaging consequences that come with associated risks!  Investors are investing in both the product and the Leadership group. Bad publicity and scandal at the highest level threaten confidence in governance and Business stability. 

Simply put, morality has become a Business asset. 

Let’s look at Ethical Leadership more closely. 

Traditional leadership development still promotes strategy and execution, which are important elements, but without ethics, public self-awareness and emotional intelligence, those competencies are insufficient. 

Today’s leadership now requires a new skill, ‘digital-era’ awareness and judgement. Use of Smartphones and social media blurs the lines between professional and personal lives. In this period of constant visibility and exposure, moral failure has consequences for both the individual and Business enterprise.  

And when in the spotlight, a Company’s values are tested, as to whether its ethics are simply words or real operational standards. It’s more than going into damage control. To win back trust and restore integrity, the Organisation must take action driven by vigorous and robust commitment.   

Building ethical trust starts with redefining corporate governance. 

• Choosing Board Members. In our modern era, Member selection should be based on strategic competence coupled with character assessment. Consider, do those in a position of power qualify in terms of ethics and integrity? 

• Company values must be clearly expressed, understood, and enforced regularly. Ethical standards and upholding them are the responsibility of everyone, from the top down. Lead by example.

• HR must be and remain beyond reproach. Accountability and transparency are crucial elements when ethical failings occur by those meant to protect cultural integrity. 

• Leadership Succession Planning. This is vital to ensure that if the situation arises, an appointment can be made quickly to help stabilise the Company. Plan ahead, foster, and develop your Team built on strong Organisational and personal moral and ethical standards. Build a Team on solid accountable foundations.

Takeaways!  

Ethics, integrity and moral behaviour are the responsibility of everyone. 

Think before you act, personally, professionally in private or publicly!