How we perform in leadership roles is influenced by our personal history or experiences with others. This assignment will assist you to explore your sense of ethical leadership and reflect on an experience that might have affected your beliefs.
Leadership must be more than just effective; it should also be ethical. Provide a real-life example of a leadership moment that you witnessed and feel embodies the essence of ethical leadership. What for you is the most salient factor of this experience that manifests ethical leadership? Reflecting on this moment, discuss how you did or can apply this lesson to your own future performance in leadership.
Full Answer Section
The Ethical Action:
- Describe the specific action(s) the leader took that you consider to be ethical.
- What principles did their actions demonstrate (e.g., honesty, fairness, transparency, accountability)?
- How did their actions impact the situation and the people involved?
The Salient Factor:
- What aspect of this experience stands out the most to you as a demonstration of ethical leadership?
- Why is this factor so significant?
Applying the Lesson:
- Reflect on how this experience has shaped your own understanding of ethical leadership.
- How can you apply the lessons learned from this experience to your own future leadership roles?
- Are there specific actions you can take to develop your own ethical leadership skills?
Example:
Situation: During my time volunteering at an animal shelter, I observed the director handle a difficult situation with a potential adopter. The adopter wanted a specific dog breed known for high energy levels, but their lifestyle wasn't suited for such a demanding pet.
Ethical Action: The director could have easily prioritized adoption numbers and placed the dog with the adopter. Instead, they displayed honesty and transparency. They explained the dog's needs and offered to match the adopter with a more suitable canine companion.
Salient Factor: The director prioritized the well-being of the animal over short-term adoption goals. This commitment to animal welfare embodies ethical leadership.
Applying the Lesson: This experience taught me that ethical leadership requires putting the needs of others before personal gain or convenience. As a future leader, I will strive to make decisions based on fairness, transparency, and a commitment to the greater good.
By following this template and reflecting on your own experiences, you can gain valuable insights into your ethical leadership style and how to develop it further.
Sample Answer
Ethical Leadership in Action: A Reflection Template
Think about a time you witnessed a leader acting ethically. This could be a teacher, coach, manager, community leader, or anyone who has inspired you.
Describe the Situation:
- Briefly describe the situation where you witnessed the ethical leadership.
- Who was the leader, and what was their role?
- What was the challenge or decision they were facing?