As 2023 drew to a close and a New Year dawned that thorny issue of standards in public life and leadership raised its head once more with the Baroness mired in the Covid/PPE scandal, the energy company boss stepping down for economy with the truth about relations with employees and, of course, the Post Office.
For all leaders, in any walk of life, whether our leadership scope is our team or the whole organisation, or even a nation, the standards we set are infectious – for good, or bad.
Personally, a reputation for doing the right thing (the essence of leadership) is founded on a strong moral compass and a code of ethics that are explicit in our behaviours and actions. Where we act out of our code it is all too apparent to others. And in doing so we aren’t only eroding our reputation, we’re eroding trust, releasing a negative infection into the culture of our team and the wider organisation. We’re giving permission for less acceptable behaviours in those we lead. We’re accepting a lowering of standards that, ultimately, helps no one.
Morals and ethics can seem like old fashioned concepts, out of tune with our modern world. Yet as the world breaks down around us and long-revered institutions are beset by what most reasonable people would consider to be poor behaviour, doing the right thing is more important than ever.
So, as we head into the surefire uncertainty of a new year redoubling our efforts and sharpening our discipline around the personal standards we live by will help us make the right choices, steer the right course and guide others well too.
In uncertain times, of course, knowing the right course can be a challenge. At the most fundamental level, though, we know in our hearts what’s right, if we take time to connect and reflect.
Perhaps a faster and more workaday acid test is that suggested by US business leader Warren Buffett. Asking oneself before every decision is made and action committed – ‘would I be happy to have this reported in my local newspaper?’
Setting and upholding high standards and doing the right thing are paramount for good leadership.