Definition & Introduction
Ethical leadership emphasizes moral reflection and managing the trade-offs involved in making difficult decisions.
In "Ethics as an Antidote," Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal positions ethics as "making the effort to evaluate competing points of view and then truly caring about the impact of the choices you have made." Carnegie Council views ethics not as a cure-all for the challenges we face, but as an active process for finding solutions.
The difficult decisions that leaders face usually involve trade-offs: a kind of compromise that involves giving up something in order to achieve an agreeable outcome for multiple parties who may hold competing sets of values and/or interests. Managing trade-offs is complex and there is oftentimes no easy or obvious answer for leaders to lean on. However, applying ethics in deliberation on how to move forward improves the possibility that outcomes will be equitable, inclusive, and fair.
For more on ethical leadership and its importance in today's challenging geopolitical environment, explore the resources below.
Ethics & Responsible Leadership
In his opening remarks for the 11th annual Global Ethics Day keynote event, "Empowering Next-Gen Civic Leaders," Joel Rosenthal shared his thoughts on the importance of ethical leadership.
What role should ethics play given this challenging moment in international affairs?
Global Leadership in a Turbulent Time: A Conversation with Professor Abiodun Williams
From escalating migration and climate crises, to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, international institutions face unprecedented challenges. Amid these tests lies opportunities for a new generation of leaders to emerge—driven by civic duty and the values of the UN Charter.
More Resources on Leadership
MAY 8, 2020 • Podcast
Democracy on the Verge: Leadership in Times of Crisis, with Ted Widmer
JUN 24, 2009 • Article
Leadership as Practical Ethics
What does one need to know to be a leader in the field of public policy? Joel Rosenthal argues for the centrality of ethics as a basic component of leadership training for anyone pursuing a career in public and international affairs.
JUN 23, 2015 • Podcast
Ethical Leadership: A Conversation with Chuck Hagel
The one constant in Chuck Hagel's career has been ethical leadership. How have his experiences--in war, Congress, and as secretary of defense--shaped his leadership style?
Carnegie Ethics Fellowship
In today’s world of geopolitical uncertainty, where can young leaders go to understand the power of ethical leadership, its effect on multilateral cooperation, and how it might impact their professional and personal lives?
Carnegie Council developed a two-year Fellowship to address these questions. Learn more about the program and its first cohort.
From the Archives: On Moral Leadership
In this "From the Archives" video, participants from Carnegie Council's Thought Leaders Forum (2013) discuss what ethical leadership means to them and how it informs their world view.
Discussion Questions
- What are key characteristics of an ethical leader?
- Which ethical principles are most crucial for a leader to embody?
- How should a leader handle the discovery of unethical behavior within their organization?
- How should an ethical leader balance personal values with organizational goals?
- How should ethical leaders at corporations manage the trade-offs between profit and social responsibility?
- Can you think of a real-life example of ethical leadership and what lessons can be learned from it?
- Have you been in a leadership role and been faced with an ethical dilemma? How did you handle it and what might you do differently in retrospect?
- Can ethical leadership evolve over time? What factors might influence this evolution?
For more on ethical leadership, subscribe to the Carnegie Ethics Newsletter
Additional Resources
What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?
Read this blog post on Harvard Division of Continuing Education's site about ethical leadership and its role in driving organizational success.
ReadThe Rise of Ethical Leadership in Modern Business Enterprises
Writing for "Forbes," Kalina Terzieva explores how ethical leaders can positively impact their organization and society.
ReadWhat is Leadership Ethics?
Access resources on ethical leadership from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, including a short video featuring Ann Skeet answering the question: what is leadership ethics?
ReadA New Model for Ethical Leadership
Max H. Bazerman, writing for the "Harvard Business Review," argues ethical leaders should focus on creating value for society rather than following a set of rules.
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