Ethics and Leadership How the Two Go Together

¶ … Leadership

Kaseem Reed defines leadership as a quality that people possess when they put themselves forward and engage communities on a positive level in order to advance society towards its goals. This is in line with the view of leadership by Schyns and Schilling (2013) who argue that positivity is an essential aspect of leadership because without it bad organizational habits and attitudes can be formed.

When asked about one of the greatest leadership challenges he has ever faced, Reed responded that every day presents a new unique challenge and that no one challenge should be viewed as greater than the other. What can seem like small challenges can actually be big ones in disguise or carry more weight and importance than first realized. Therefore, every challenge should be given equal consideration and not viewed in terms of size or in the sense that it could be insurmountable or very difficult to figure out. Challenges, in fact, should not even be viewed as challenges but rather as opportunities. This is in line with the positive approach to leadership, which Reed pointed out is the approach that he tries to take at all times. It is essentially a way of re-thinking how we approach life, whether we are going to come at life with a negative outlook where we see problems around every corner or whether we come at life brimming with possibilities and seeing opportunities around every corner. Reed asserts that he is defined by the latter approach, and this follows the idea of Boaz and Fox (2014) who view change leadership as an authentication and validation of self.

Reed responded to the request to describe a situation in which effective interpersonal communication skills contributed to his success. He pointed to this interview as a perfect example. He said that by being open and honest with everyone, not just people you work with but with others you don't work with, and with people you do not know, you set a precedent -- a level of expectation. People see that you are a strong communicator, that you are transparent, that you are not hiding anything. They see that you treat people fairly and that you are not out to use people or make examples of anyone. They see that you respond in a way that is appealing and people want to be part of that experience. That is why this interview was happening, he said: he built up a reputation for himself through excellent communication skills and by being an effective interpersonal communicator. He was someone people wanted to talk to because there would actually be an exchange of ideas, a two-way flow, which he identified as being very important in communication. Some people, he said, only want to hear themselves talk, only want to give instead of receiving. A good communicator has to be willing to receive as much as he gives, sometimes more. Being a good communicator is about listening more than it is about speaking. People want to know that they are being heard: there are too many instances and cases out there where no one has a voice, where people are being ignored and marginalized. As an effective communicator, Reed says that it is his duty to hear those people, understand what they are saying, and participate in the exchange of ideas.

When asked about he shows that ethics and ethical practice is expected of everyone in his office, he pointed out that he is in a position where all eyes on him and his team. That means he is leading by example as well as by word and ideas. He has to make sure that the ideals which our society values, such as equality and fraternity, are embraced by him and his team. He does not allow himself or others to marginalize people based on race, creed or sexual orientation. He says that this is the most ethical principle that he and his team can uphold, considering their position as representatives of the public. The public expects these principles to be upheld and it is therefore his duty to see that they are being practiced. Not only does he want to see them practiced he wants it to be known that they are given highest priority. If he and his staff are acting ethically then everything else will fall into place. It is very similar to maxim "Seek first the kingdom of God and all else will follow after." Reed essentially endorses this concept by placing ethics first alongside people. That is his goal as a leader and steward.