Stand out in the crowd for all the right reasons - the ethical leader

The ethical leader will stand out in the crowd for all the right reasons

 What are some of the dispositions of ethical leadership?

1. Selflessness - act in best interests of children and young people, advocating for others
2. Integrity - not be influenced
3. Objectivity - fair, not biased or discriminatory
4. Accountability- you have a duty to others for the decisions you make
5. Openness and transparency
6. Honesty Truthful
7. A leader of leaders

​
Alongside this, the ethical leader will hold onto these seven virtues

1. Trustworthiness
2. Wisdom - moderate and self-aware, calm and rational
3. Kindness respect, generosity
4. Justice
5. Service of others, not self-serving of ourselves
6. Courage
7. Optimism, be positive and encouraging

And …empathy, compassion, tolerance, curious, happiness and fun.
 
Don’t underestimate how much your leadership is modelled to others. All of us, have people who are watching what we do, and are making judgements and measuring us on how our words and actions align.
 
Flex your ethical muscle. What is the right thing to do?
You don’t have to be a saint to be a hero. Just chose to do the right thing.
 
As a leader we should also be prioritising the development of self-awareness. It’s good to check in with yourself when you are tired and stressed, how do I behave?
 
4 ethical behaviour tests
1. The Sleeping Test – if I do this, can I sleep at night?
2. The Newspaper Test – if I do this, would it be published in the paper?
3. The Mirror Test – if I do this, would I feel comfortable looking at myself in the mirror?
4. The Teenager Test – if I do this, would I mind my children knowing?
(credit to Marc Le Menestral)

Many thanks to Peter Kent for his inspiring words and thoughts on this topic
(Framework for Ethical Leadership in Education, UK)