Since 2007, TELA26, LLC (formerly Ethical Leadership Seminars, LLC), has presented the ABC’s of Ethical Leadership. Colonel (Retired) Anthony Hardin created the course after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. The course, whether taken at conferences, seminars, or online ( https://www.tela26.com/online/ ), is still as pertinent today as it was 15 years ago. The 26 simple but critical tenets for leaders, in any profession and at any level, has proven valuable as a (three) 3-credit, certificate granting, CPE, CEC, and CEU course.
Parents, relatives, and friends have also gifted the ABC’s of Ethical Leadership online course to young people in high school and college who show promise as future leaders. We all at some point find ourselves saying, “I wish I had known then (when younger) what I know now”. While we can’t go back in time, we can take the course ourselves to validate the critical lessons and then gift the course to a young leader. The gifting of the course is a way to give young people the ethical leadership tenets we wish we had at their age. The nature of the course, with its thought-provoking written content and videos, is educational and entertaining.
We know when striving for an ideal environment for those who look to us as leaders, there are many routes and resources from which to choose. The bottom line is still the same: most people will feel better working with leaders that practice ethical leadership. Is it an inherent trait found in good leaders? For some, yes, it is an inherent trait. However, this is not the case for most leaders. In fact, ethical leadership isn’t something naturally found in leaders, even if viewed as “good people”. Instead, ethical leadership is derived from a series of conscious decisions and practices that amplify the values of the leaders and, hopefully, leads to fostering positive work environments for those we lead.
Why Ethical Leadership requires effort
The designation as leader (titles vary) implies that we are responsible for our team (regardless of the size). Our demeanor and decision-making directly correlate to the confidence and behavior of the team. It’s important to inspire traits that improve the spirit of teamwork. Ethically based good leadership is done by showing, not telling.
The best way to show practice ethical leadership is to be the person everyone looks to for valuable guidance when needed. As humans, we’re not going to make the right decision every time, but making a conscious effort to be respectful, transparent and fair to our team members will ensure the leader is afforded the benefit of the doubt when needed. As leaders, we do a job bigger than ourselves. It’s not enough to know ethical leadership theoretically. Ethical leadership is something we learn and apply consistently, as amplified in the ABC’s of Ethical Leadership course.
How Ethical Leadership correlates with Success
Ethical leaders can reap the benefits of selflessness in interesting ways. Even at the top of the professional ladder, there are benefits that come with adopting the ABC’s of Ethical Leadership. One benefit is team feedback. With ethical leadership as a guide within the workplace, there’s a strong identity generated within our organization. Rather than reliance on mission statements and other related items, the value of our leadership brand will be reflected in how workers adopt goals and objectives of the organization. Leaders build a foundation of trust. This is one reason why employers in business, all levels of government, hospitals, etc, reimburse leaders and employees who take the certificate-granting ABC’s of Ethical Leadership online course.
Boosted Morale in the workplace
Work is work, no doubt. There’s a level of dedication we don’t get from team member who follow us if we are not showing true ethical commitment to the organizations we lead. Our team knows if we are faking commitment and enthusiasm. With ethical leadership, we have an opportunity to genuinely inspire and promote creative thinking, as we guide our team toward organizational goals. This attitude towards leadership directly correlates with productivity and turnover rates.
Why we should know the ABC’s of Ethical Leadership
Ethical Leadership is a life skill that will continue to reflect in society’s needs. Whether we’re C-suite professionals, government workers, or construction worker, there is a tremendous need for more ethical leadership – just read or listen to the news each day. To foster a better environment for those who follow us, ethical leadership is critical. The simple but critical advice for leaders, in any profession and at any level, is enduring. Remember, in any organization, literally any, “if unethical behavior goes unchecked, it becomes the new standard”.
The course, The ABC’s of Ethical Leadership, stands ready to assist leaders, in any organization and at any level, for the next 15 years.