What Makes a Great Leader - Character and Ethics
Authentic leadership—the kind that is evidenced in the lives of great leaders and has the power to transform individuals, organizations and entire societies—is profoundly ethical in nature. Great leaders are reliable persons of character who are committed to compelling principles and purposes, while embodying both empathy and respect for others, as well as inner connectedness and respect for oneself. Great leaders have that special edge of authenticity and consistently demonstrate that they stand for something more important than themselves.
Leadership is not some elusive mystical attribute that a few people receive at birth. Instead it is a manifestation of inner strength and character, learned by example throughout life, and directed toward inspiring principles and purpose. Great leaders exhibit behaviors that all of us are capable of but few of us cultivate over the course of a lifetime. These behaviors are manifested by a sense of character that each of us possess. A leader inspires others by his or her commitment to not only a sense of purpose but a strong and abiding set of ethical principles.
Leaders who are properly numbered among the “great” and “enduring” leaders of human history exhibit, to varying degrees, attributes of leadership that are “supported” or “reinforced” by ethical qualities. The ability to respond to change with a clear vision is founded by a set of principles and purpose. A leader must possess reliability and strength of character in order to inspire commitment and selflessness within others. Finally, the ability to be a good listener not only shows respect and empathy for others but also self-respect and inner connectedness.
Perhaps the central trait of leadership is this ability to inspire commitment toward a common goal within others. Often such commitment is self-sacrificial in character and requires no small degree of risk-taking by those being led. This risk and self-sacrifice requires an unusually high degree of credibility between a leader and his or her followers. Such credibility is often a painstakingly, enduring asset, however, the general quality of reliability, along with the characteristics we ascribe to “character” (e.g., integrity, honesty, fairness,) form the building blocks for a foundation of credibility between a leader and his or her constituency.
Tags: character, commitment, ethics, Leadership
3. July 2009 at 3:45 am :
i’m totally agree with your post :)
thanks for sharing it with us.. have a great weekend
best wishes ;)
6. July 2009 at 5:53 pm :
“Perhaps the central trait of leadership is this ability to inspire commitment toward a common goal within others.”
This could also mean getting others to do what you want. That is what makes a great leader!
Interesting post, thanks.
11. July 2009 at 4:37 am :
Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.
More than anything else today, followers believe they are part of a system, a process that lacks heart. If there is one thing a leader can do to connect with followers at a human, or better still a spiritual level, it is to become engaged with them fully, to share experiences and emotions, and to set aside the processes of leadership we have learned by rote.
Nice post
16. July 2009 at 1:25 am :
“Important is leaders cannot change direction frequently.”
Nice post
Thanks for sharing….
24. August 2009 at 7:22 am :
I think the arch example of a good leader was Moses.
If you read the Bible you will see that he had every needed leadership quality and used it to the max.
I wish we would also have a leader like Moses.
22. September 2009 at 10:30 am :
Leaders in the business industry should set examples for employees in the lower tears of their hierarchy. It is important that they teach them morally and to a good standard so that they can also work on becoming a leader in their industry.
21. December 2009 at 7:16 am :
I thinks ethics should be viewed as the ‘corner stone’ of leadership. Without good strong ethics behind actions, or attempts to gain followers - the attempt will always fall flat.