“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” — Nelson Mandela

On the internet, a search for “leadership” brings up pages of results, but fewer people talk specifically about “ethics in leadership.” Instead, we hear of the many types of leaders, described primarily by their behaviors and approaches. For example, you learn of the autocratic leader, who is the aggressive type you see in the position of military drill sergeant, or the transformational leader whose magnetic personality inspires critical thinking from the team. There are also the hands-on leaders who welcome opinions and encourage full collaboration, as well as the transactional leader with the straightforward style that rewards compliance and focuses on results.

Any of these types of leaders may or may not be ethical leaders. I see the ethical leader as the one who not only leads well,  but is trustworthy and filled with integrity. I also believe it’s the ethics in leadership that can most easily lead a team to a successful implementation.

Trust + Respect + Ethics= Ethical Leadership

The difference between leadership and ethical leadership lies in three components: trust, respect, and ethics. However, it all begins with trust. For the team to follow, they must trust the leader. It’s essential! Then the leader who has earned the trust of their team will be respected and will be able to work more easily towards completing the project since the team respects them. They have a better chance of completing the project on time and on budget.

The third, most elusive component that truly makes the difference between a leader and an ethical leader, is the leader’s ethics. These are the attitudes, values, and qualities that are exhibited to the team, from day one of the project.

As a new project manager, one of the most difficult tasks you will have is to become accepted by the existing team you’ve been assigned to manage. Teams are wary of new project managers because they don’t know anything about their management style or their personality. They also know the project manager’s job is to keep the team honest and on track to successfully complete the project within scope, budget and schedule, often forcing team members to focus on the things they don’t like to do.

So, where do you start? First, by trying to understand your team from the minute you walk through the door. By doing so, you will be able to determine the leadership style that you should use to successfully get things done. Be flexible; your leadership style may have to vary from team to team or departments and may even surprise you. For example, some corporate cultures welcome the pressure of an authoritative project manager in order to focus and complete the tedious, yet crucial tasks needed within each project. In other environments, a hands-on leader will be more successful because of a more laid back, collaborative corporate culture.

Leading Ethically

Regardless of what management style you use for your team, know that they are watching and evaluating you, even as you are doing the same to them. They want to know that you are a leader with character and integrity who will put them first. In doing this, you will be judged a truly, ethical leader!

Another word for it is “servant leader.” As corporate America has evolved, the role of the project manager has evolved as well, and the most successful ones have taken the road of servant leadership. Servant leaders show true care for the well-being of their team, and exhibit qualities like compassion, humility, and empathy towards their staff. They give credit to those who deserve it, and do what’s good for the team first, not what’s good for themselves or one or two people who want things their own way. By demonstrating fairness and honesty, they are seen as ethical, and existing on a higher plane of management.

Having ethics in leadership is a model to strive for to create a truly winning team. What can you do today to make yourself a more ethical leader, or bring one to your next team project? We would be glad to help. Contact us to discuss your next project and what a seasoned, ethical leader from Lurdez Consulting can do for your firm.