Ethical leaders are hard to come by. Not only do these types of leaders lead by example, but they also impact positive transformations in their communities. Perfect examples of one of history’s most ethical leaders are Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela. These leaders had one unique thing in common: they were all equipped with the skills of an ethical leader. As ethical leaders, these people prioritized the welfare of others, and their society, above their own, making them effective altruists. Furthermore, they led with honesty, integrity, and empathy, which are critical characteristics of ethical leaders. These individuals also used effective communication to convey facts transparently, impacting trust and loyalty in their followers ( Othman & Rahman, 2014 ). They inspired voluntary compliance since they were role models who people could look up to.
Moreover, these leaders respected each person by listening keenly to their opinions and contributions, making their followers feel valued and appreciated, which is crucial for the development of a sustainable relationship between leaders and their followers. In addition, these individuals led with impartiality and fairness. Mihelic, Lipicnik, & Tekavcic (2010) argue that t is critical for leaders to treat their followers in the same way, regardless of their differences. Nonetheless, not all ethical leaders demonstrate the same characteristics; they tend to vary depending on the leader. For instance, most leaders expect workers to act morally at all times. Therefore, most of them do not tolerate moral violations. Nonetheless, other ethical leaders may choose to overlook and forgive such actions, giving their followers a second chance to do what is right.
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Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi are depicted as one of the most ethical leaders in human history. One of the things they had in common was the use of transformational leadership style (Othman & Rahman, 2014). Additionally, these people were equipped with the characteristics of ethical leaders. Not only did they exercise justice, honesty, impartiality, compassion, respect, and humility, but they also inspired trust and loyalty in their followers. Additionally, these leaders used effective communication to promote transparency in their leadership. As exemplary leaders, they practiced effective altruism, which is a critical factor in the promotion of positive changes in the society.
References
Mihelic, K. K., Lipicnik, B., & Tekavcic, M. (2010). Ethical leadership. International Journal of Management & Information Systems (Online) , 14 (5).
Othman, Z., & Rahman, R. A. (2014). Attributes of ethical leadership in leading
good governance. International Journal of Business and Society , 15 (2), 359.
