This entire week has been horrible. I’ve thought about quitting social media more than once. Usually, as I scroll through my feed, I see lots of great things happening. However, lately, I’ve just seen a need for more leadership…. and ethical leadership. With that, what is ethical leadership?
Ethical leadership isn’t making fun of others who are just trying to do good in the world. Ongoing fighting about the very meaning of diversity and inclusion, and what that looks like in practice. I’ve seen folks say nasty things, playing into gross cultural stereotypes and even outright racist/sexist comments. There’s been articles about how it’s okay to flirt at work and people defending pushback to the article by saying, “it’s always been this way, people just need to accept it.” We’ve also seen articles about literally a toilet that makes it unbearable to sit down and go in order to achieve higher productivity.
It’s been a week. My head and my heart are hurting. I’m sick.
Here’s the thing, though.
Yes, things may have always been this way. But, no, we don’t need to and shouldn’t accept it. We know better now. And if you don’t, you aren’t listening. Can’t we all just do things to be kinder to others? Here’s what I hope will happen in 2020.
What is Ethical Leadership?
Ethical Leaders Lead with Empathy
You want to know why I love review sites? Because people review products and customer experiences with the hope that they will be heard and others actually take the time to listen and reflect.
A scorecard is provided on what is working and what isn’t and people listen and think, “how can I use this to improve?”
Why can’t people do that in their daily interactions with others?
Right now, so many people are hurting. They are hurting because they can’t be themselves at work, are being pushed out of important conversations that affect them, they are struggling financially or to be treated with kindness and equality. I find that heartbreaking.
And what I find even more heartbreaking is when these folks speak up, instead of listening to improve, people get defensive and attack.
Why can’t we give other humans the same respect we give our products and customers?
Great Leaders Listen
Everyone deserves to be heard. The problem is that some people are heard more easily than others. What I mean by “listening to the right people,” is that we need to start listening to the people that haven’t had a voice in the past. The ones who have been historically and systemically oppressed and discriminated against. We’ve already heard the opinions of and implemented the policies of the folks who have been in power for the last several hundred years, and they don’t work for everyone. Can’t we take the time to listen to new voices, get new ideas, and start implementing policies that are more supportive of everyone else.
And, if you’re about to comment with something related to politics, please save yourself. This post isn’t political. It’s not partisan. It’s human.
Servant Leaders Put People First
While we take time to improve the customer, candidate, and employee experiences, we should reflect on how we approach the social media/influencer/friend/ and family experiences. Are we listening to all voices the same, like we do when we read reviews? With active ears and open hearts?
My hope for 2020 is that we’ll have the emotional capacity to ask our friends questions about how we can better support them and we’ll listen to and act on their input. This may we don’t get or accept some jobs to create space for others. It may mean we need to do some brand/product adjusting. It may also mean that we need to own mistakes and apologize. That’s a part of learning and growing.
Ethical Leaders Use Their Voice to Create Space for Others
Recently, I was asked to provide a quote for a company playbook. I provided a quote along with the names of several others who should also be featured. There may never be a perfect moment to create space for others. So just start creating space for others on your own terms.
I’m sad by the events that have occurred this week. I’m annoyed. And, I’m heartbroken.
This time of year is supposed to be a time of great people, food, and fun. Instead, I’m seeing a constant state of struggle and fight.
Why is it so hard to be respectful these days? Why is it so hard to say, “you know what, maybe you’re right? Maybe the status quo isn’t good enough anymore. Maybe I should stop and listen.” Or, “You know what, maybe what I’m about to do or have already done is about idea. Let’s fix it.”
When are we going to start supporting each other like the community we are?