By Linda Fisher Thornton As humans, we are flawed thinkers who easily fall victim to biases and traps. The biases and traps we so easily fall into reshape our thinking in ways that can lead us to make bad decisions. As you review the list of leadership traps below, think about how each can lead to unethical thinking and actions.
Tag: 7 Lenses
Unethical Leadership: Selective Inclusion
By Linda Fisher Thornton I previously wrote about the problem of selective respect and today I’ll address it’s evil twin. It has been happening right in front of us and has been amplified by social media – leaders speaking from a perspective of selective inclusion. This week, I’m sharing a collection of posts that explain the importance of full inclusion and how to recognize examples that stray from it.
A Manifesto For Ethical Leaders
By Linda Fisher Thornton We are here to focus on what’s right and what’s possible, not on what’s historical or convenient. We are here to serve others, not to profit from their vulnerabilities. We are here to make a positive difference, through intentional leadership and responsible choices.
10 Things Ethical Leaders Believe (Part 6)
By Linda Fisher Thornton We will build a better world. When we think of the term “stakeholder” in its broadest interpretation, and lead with care, our proactive ethical leadership generates ripples of trust. We make a difference. When we seek a simultaneous win for many stakeholders, we: Create a better future for the organization, it’s customers and employees. Support healthy communities. Make a difference in the world.
Ethical Leadership: Understanding The Global Context
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical leaders, who accept the realities of the a global marketplace and "learn through" complexity, see the world and their role in it at a high level.
Ethical Leaders Demonstrate Both Character and Integrity
By Linda Fisher Thornton Sometimes the terms Character and Integrity are used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Let's take a look at the two terms and how they are related.
Ethical Leaders Adapt (Part 3)
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical leadership requires growth, a willingness to acknowledge complexity and an understanding of the broader context in which we lead. Use these resources to learn about how adaptation and ethical leadership are connected and check for learning blind spots.
Ethical Leaders Adapt (Part 2)
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical leadership requires growth, a willingness to acknowledge complexity and an understanding of the broader context in which we lead. Use these resources to improve your ethical awareness and learn about the importance of staying on…
Ethical Leadership: Adaptability is Essential
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ego-driven leaders want to be “right” even when the evidence shows otherwise. They see rightness as something fixed that they can control. Of course, it isn’t fixed and they can’t control it, but they may not want to be confused with the facts. Conversely, when ego is not driving the thinking process, leaders can adapt to changing information and circumstances and change their minds.
Leadership, Complexity and Control
By Linda Fisher Thornton Leaders who solve complex problems need a special blend of qualities – the curiosity to untangle the variables, the persistence to keep trying, and the openness to change beliefs and strategies as answers emerge from the chaos. But those qualities will only take them so far. They’ll also need to be great listeners and engaging leaders, so that they gather information from stakeholders and team members. They’ll need to be systems thinkers with a global mindset.
Leadership: It’s Not About Us
By Linda Fisher Thornton You may have noticed that society’s expectations of us as leaders are continuing to increase. Consumers prefer to purchase from companies that genuinely care about their well-being. Employees want to work for companies that treat people well, do meaningful work and give back to the community. To survive in this new land where ethics is key to success, we must understand that it is not all about us.
Leaders Make the Ethical Path Clear
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical leaders are not easily pulled off course – they stay focused on the values that are important to good leadership. They realize that they are influencing others, and they perceive that as both a privilege and a responsibility. They ask themselves, “In my leadership, am I making the path clear for others to follow?” If we see leadership as only a privilege (and not a responsibility) we may be tempted by personal gain. If we see it as only a responsibility (and not a privilege), we may miss the joys of bringing out the potential of those we lead.
5 Phrases to Watch For: Ignoring Ethical Boundaries
By Linda Fisher Thornton Boundaries can be simply described as lines that we don’t cross when doing business. Respecting these (sometimes clear, sometimes hazy) boundaries is an important part of today’s ethical leadership. The 5 phrases below signal that the speaker is ignoring an important ethical boundary:
Hallmarks of Ethical Leadership (Part 5)
By Linda Fisher Thornton In Part 5 of this series on attributes of ethical leadership, I explore the importance of really hearing all stakeholders, including those who are not in the room. Here are Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 in case you missed them.
Hallmarks of Ethical Leadership (Part 4)
By Linda Fisher Thornton This post is Part 4 in a series. In Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 I explored 9 different traits that help you recognize ethical leaders. In Part 4 I will address the importance of leading in ways that eliminate fear. One of the hallmarks of ethical leadership is that it is a fear-free zone. Fear is insidious. It changes how we see the world and how we treat others. Here are 5 important reasons why fear has no place in our workplaces, our families or our communities:
Leading in Context 