All leadership is responsible for influencing followers to perform an action, complete a task, or behave in a specific manner. Effective leaders influence process, stimulate change in subordinate's attitudes and values, and foster the internalisation of the leaders' vision by utilising strategies of empowerment. It is believed that the nurturing aspect of leaders can raise organisational cultures and employ values to high levels of ethical concern. Ethical leadership requires ethical leaders. If leaders are ethical, they can ensure that ethical practices are carried out throughout the organisation. Ethical leadership is leadership that is involved in leading in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of others. As leaders are by nature in a position of social power, ethical leadership focuses on how leaders use their social power in the decisions they make, actions they engage in and ways they motivate others. Leaders who are ethical demonstrate a level of integrity that is important for stimulating a sense of leader trustworthiness, which is essential for followers to accept the vision of the leader. These are critical and direct components to leading ethically. The character and integrity of the leader provide the basis for personal characteristics that direct a leader's ethical beliefs, values, and decisions. Individual values and beliefs impact the ethical decisions of leaders.
Leaders who are ethical are people- oriented, and also aware of how their decisions impact others, and use their social power to serve the grater (greater) good instead of self- serving interests. In ethical leadership it is important for the leader to consider how his or her decisions impact others. Motivating followers to put the needs or interests of the group ahead of their own is another quality of ethical leaders. Motivating involves engaging others in an intellectual and emotional commitment between leaders and followers that makes both parties equally responsible in the pursuit of a common goal. These characteristics of ethical leaders inspire others to work towards the leader's vision for the group and to be committed to the group. Ethical leaders assist followers in gaining a sense of personal competence that allows them to be self sufficient by encouraging and empowering them.
In this confused and corrupted modern society, there is a want for such ethical leaders. In this midst of chaos, misconceptions, doubts, and disagreements, we need ethical leaders whose vision and decision making are for positive outcomes, a leader who can uphold the moral and ethical principles of the society.
Zulusenla Jamir Assistant Professor Department of English St. Joseph's College, Jakhama.
