By Linda Fisher Thornton As humans, we are flawed thinkers who easily fall victim to biases and traps. The biases and traps we so easily fall into reshape our thinking in ways that can lead us to make bad decisions. As you review the list of leadership traps below, think about how each can lead to unethical thinking and actions.
Tag: ethical thinking
What is Unethical Leadership?
By Linda Fisher Thornton This week I’m sharing posts that clearly describe what unethical leadership looks like, and caution readers about the risks of allowing it to continue. While I have always blogged about proactive ethical leadership, my posts on unethical leadership continue to be some of the most popular, so I know you’re looking for answers.
A Manifesto For Ethical Leaders
By Linda Fisher Thornton We are here to focus on what’s right and what’s possible, not on what’s historical or convenient. We are here to serve others, not to profit from their vulnerabilities. We are here to make a positive difference, through intentional leadership and responsible choices.
10 Things Ethical Leaders Believe (Part 6)
By Linda Fisher Thornton We will build a better world. When we think of the term “stakeholder” in its broadest interpretation, and lead with care, our proactive ethical leadership generates ripples of trust. We make a difference. When we seek a simultaneous win for many stakeholders, we: Create a better future for the organization, it’s customers and employees. Support healthy communities. Make a difference in the world.
10 Things Ethical Leaders Believe (Part 5)
By Linda Fisher Thornton We should serve as positive role models. We model ethical leadership through our character, integrity, behavior, and choices. Our role is to listen, learn and improve, serving as a role model for what ethical behavior looks like. We model the ethical behavior we ask of others. We realize that we can only bring out the best in those we lead when we demonstrate our commitment to ethics and show them the way.
10 Things Ethical Leaders Believe (Part 4)
We must take responsibility. The world is changing. There is a powerful responsibility movement going on. We know more about what leaders should be doing, and we know more about what responsible leadership looks like. People need to be able to count on us to take responsibility. Everyone is counting on us to take responsibility. Taking responsibility for using ethical thinking and behavior will not only change everything we do, it will earn the respect of others, and change how we feel about ourselves.
10 Things Ethical Leaders Believe (Part 1)
What are the deep beliefs that will help us think beyond ourselves? 10 Things Ethical Leaders Believe:
How Do Ethical Leaders Think?
By Linda Fisher Thornton Today I’m taking you inside the mind of the ethical leader to explore ethical thinking. What do ethical leaders think about? How do they make decisions? They are guided by a desire to have a positive impact. They think about what’s best for others, and seek mutual benefit. They think about ways to demonstrate their values in day-to-day leadership, even when faced with difficult challenges.
Decoding The DNA of Ethical Education
By Linda Fisher Thornton We have learned that human DNA is not fixed, but changing. We all have DNA markers that are turned on or off by our life choices and experiences. There are specific things educators do to enable ethical education. Like markers in our DNA, these important factors in education switch on responsible education. In their absence, a switch turns to "off" that damages people's willingness and ability to learn.
Ethical Thinking: Task Shortcuts Don’t Apply to People
By Linda Fisher Thornton What is flawed thinking? What harm can it cause? What can we do about it? This post looks at the harm we can do when we fall victim to our very human tendency to use flawed thinking about people who are not like us. If we don't question an assumption or a piece of information, we may automatically "file it" and let it become the basis for decisions and actions that are unethical.
Ethical Leadership: Understanding The Global Context
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical leaders, who accept the realities of the a global marketplace and "learn through" complexity, see the world and their role in it at a high level.
5 Common Culture Gaps That Erode Ethical Leadership
By Linda Fisher Thornton My article, “Ethical Thinking Isn’t Automatic,” featured in the August issue of the Talent Development Journal, describes five culture gaps that inhibit ethical leadership. These culture gaps are common problems that organizations should watch for and avoid. “For ethical leadership to stick, the culture needs an infrastructure that consistently supports acting on stated values…Ethical cultures treat ethical thinking as something that must be cultivated, demonstrated, and practiced over time.”
Ethical Thinking, Ethical Self: 5 Things You Need to Know
By Linda Fisher Thornton Developing an “ethical self” is important for good citizenship and good leadership. But what does it involve? There’s more to developing and maintaining an ethical self than trying to make good choices. Making ethical choices isn’t easy, and while we’re struggling, our brains are actually working against us.
What Does It Mean to “Do the Right Thing?”
By Linda Fisher Thornton The “Keep it Simple” approach is good for many situations, but keeping it simple will set you up for failure in ethics. Using an oversimplified approach to solving a complex ethical problem just means you leave out variables you should be considering.
Shallow Thinking
By Linda Fisher Thornton The question of the day is “How does “shallow thinking” lead to ethical mistakes?” By shallow thinking, I mean thinking that is limited in breadth and depth. Think about taking a stroll on the beach as you read the characteristics of shallow thinking below. How do these characteristics describe the kind of thinking that can lead to ethical mistakes and decision gridlock?
Leading in Context 