Ethical Leadership

"Ethical leadership is knowing your core values and having the courage to live them in every aspect of your life."

This week we heard from Steve Baker on ethical leadership. This topic sparked my interest because it gets down to the core of who we are as individuals. It led me to question what my core values are. I realized that I need to do a little work on determining them with the upmost certainty so I can stand by them unwaveringly. I seem to think that values are determined trough life experience. I mean I feel like my core moral code of ethics is not something I could just formulate in one blog post and then stick to it for the rest of my life. But rather I know by staying true to who I am and what I believe now, will lead me to places in life where I can grow my moral understanding through experience. For example, this past few weeks I have been volunteering at the Mountainland Headstart (a non-profit pre-school). Through this volunteering I have gained a much better understanding about the importance of my role in those children's lives. They really don't have a voice, and it is up to those of us who can speak for them to do so. It has cleared up hazy thoughts that rationalized that I could have little impact on a child's life because "things just are the way they are". By exposing myself to the world, I am realizing that my perceptions mostly always change- and my sense of morality, or what is right, is strengthened. One of the questions that was raised during the lecture was whether or now keeping one's integrity is "worth it"? The answer apparently is "absolutely" but I feel it deserves a little better understanding. From my very limited experience in this life, I have realized that when you are honest with yourself and others and do your best to fulfill your positive intentions the universe seems to conspire for the good of yourself and others. It sounds a little magical and silly, but this idea of karma (doing the right thing will come back to benefit you) really does hold true. If not only in the fact that by doing what I know is right, my entire attitude changes for the better and the adversities of life seem so trivial. In my leadership role, whether that be a son, friend, self, student, or humanitarian- inspiration is key. In order to effectively inspire others- an overall sense of good intentions and integrity is key in successfully driving your cause forward. Although, I will make mistakes because reality does not transcend my perfect intentions, I can feel confident in knowing that my intentions were good and I tried my very best. Something that I am struggling with that I think relates to this idea of personal integrity is self discipline. I find it difficult to stay true to what I know is right, what I know I should do, how I know I should act, and how I know I should think. I seem to wavering in my actions. Integrity calls for self-dicipline. I am seeking to develop this sense of "courage" that will allow me to be true and constant. Once I do, trust, respect, peace, and happiness will radiate in me and others I lead. I must begin now, to be who I know I must- giving no regard to fear.