Ethical Leadership and Governance

In turbulent times, companies need a reliable anchor to guide decision-making. When organizations become moral communities, underpinned by purpose, they provide that stability for stakeholders as well as a reassuring sense of hope, solidarity, agency, and meaning. Three strategies can help. First, tell a big story about what your organization believes in and what it is trying to accomplish. Second, treat purpose as an organizing principle that guides company structure, strategy, and culture. Third, model courageous, purpose-driven leadership yourself.

With stakeholders and shareholders vying for attention, CEOs need to develop a new kind of ethical leadership to build trust in society and deliver results.

Only 17% of managers put principles first and only 13% make amends when they get things wrong, according to a recent survey.

There is a way forward to a more restorative form of leadership in our society; it will only come when individuals answer a call toward greater moral leadership.

Businesses must root strategy in moral purpose to thrive in a complex, rapidly changing world.