The Values of the Leader

A final factor that contributes to understanding ethical leadership is values. Values are the ideas, beliefs, and modes of action that people find worthwhile or desirable. Some examples of values are peace, justice, integrity, fairness, and community. A leader’s ethical values are demonstrated in everyday leadership. Modal values are concerned with the means or actions a leader takes.

End values describe the outcomes or goals a leader seeks to achieve. End values are present when a person addresses broad issues such as liberty and justice. In leadership situations, both the leader and the follower have values, and these values are seldom the same. A leader brings his or her own unique values to leadership situations, and followers do the same. The challenge for the ethical leader is to be faithful to their own leadership values while being sensitive to the followers’ values. Making ethical decisions is challenging for a leader, especially in situations where resources are scarce.