Leadership: “Leaning Out” For Growth

By Linda Fisher Thornton Some leaders actively avoid discomfort, not realizing that they are also avoiding the necessary growth that propels them to their best leadership. Great leadership doesn’t happen by itself. It happens when a leader decides to intentionally learn and grow, and to pursue that growth into the Discomfort Zone.

Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Accountability: An Action Plan

By Linda Fisher Thornton Managing the ethics of artificial intelligence is only becoming more complex over time, and the stakes are high for finding a path forward. This week I am sharing a special report “AI: Where Are We Now?” published by EDUCAUSE. This timely report includes an article I wrote for the EDUCAUSE Review titled “Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Accountability.”

Leading in the “Figure It Out” Space

By Linda Fisher Thornton Leading in the "figure it out" space is one of the most important roles of ethical leadership. When the way forward isn't clear, and there are ethical issues to be considered, the best leaders admit that the next step is not clear cut and will need to be worked through. They start a conversation with their teams to engage them in the messy process of considering the most responsible way forward.

Talking About Ethics (Part 5)

By Linda Fisher Thornton Talking about controversial topics has become a daunting task. There are some things we can do, individually and collectively, to improve those difficult conversations. The important points below may be useful to review as ground rules for discussing potentially emotionally charged issues:

Talking About Ethics (Part 4)

By Linda Fisher Thornton Talking about ethical values engages people, helps them find meaning and improves the organization’s metrics. This week I want to explore what the conversation should include.  You may be surprised to learn that it’s not all about what WE COMMUNICATE about values – it’s their questions that will help us bring values to life.

Talking About Ethics (Part 3)

By Linda Fisher Thornton Great attention is often paid to values in defining and marketing an organization. But what happens after that? It’s the ongoing dialogue about how to apply those values that brings them to life.  Some leaders assume that if…

Talking About Ethics (Part 2)

By Linda Fisher Thornton Dialogue is a powerful tool for developing ethical organizations. Workplace issues are complex and opinions vary about what ethical leadership means. This combination creates a kind of “murky uncertainty” that keeps leaders from giving us their best, most ethical performance.

Talking About Ethics (Part 1)

By Linda Fisher Thornton Workplace issues are complex and opinions vary about the right thing to do in challenging situations. This complexity and uncertainty combine to create a “murky uncertainty” that may keep people from giving us their best, most ethical performance.

Identifying Ethically-Aware Leaders

By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical awareness may have been considered private in the past, but it has become easier to observe in a society that is always socially connected. Since ethical reputation is a defining element in individual and organizational success, it is time that we consider ethical awareness as a key element of experience when selecting leaders for our businesses, community organizations, governments, and nations.

How To Tend the Human Soul

By Linda Fisher Thornton Since not everyone believes in the human soul, it's not typically going to appear on a list of "self care" items people tackle like exercise, sleep or diet. In this post, I will make the case for why it's important to tend the human soul, and how to do that. Start by watching this video of Jane Goodall as she talks about the soul.

Leaders Make the Ethical Path Clear (Part 2)

By Linda Fisher Thornton Taking the ethical path and showing others the way does not just involve the things leaders do that we can observe. It also involves the hidden things they do, the mental work they do to make good decisions that add value for others and not just themselves. Ethical leaders seek shared value. They look for ways to meet the needs of others while they champion their own projects and ideas. Why? Because they understand that they are responsible for honoring their well-being AND the well-being of others.

Ethical Leaders Adapt (Part 5)

By Linda Fisher Thornton We are in the world with others for a reason, and when we embrace the diversity of our global village it makes us all better. Use these posts about the ethical implications of inclusion to take the next steps on your journey to developing a global mindset broad enough to include all the world's people.