Imagine if each of us did a regular ethics audit on ourselves.

What if each of us really self-managed what we stay true to, how we behave, and how we lead others, versus waiting for the bad stuff to be detected by others, and then addressing it only because we’d been found out or ‘had to’?

Edward Marshall (2019) calls self-accountability one of the hallmarks of ethical leadership.

I’ve been thinking about this in the context of the much-publicised decision by the incumbent Deputy President of SA, David Mabuza, and other Members of Parliament to delay or turn down the opportunity to be sworn in as MPs – possibly in light of what the ANC’s integrity commission unearthed on them.

I also listened to Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s recent comments about ethical governance and ethical leadership. He was speaking about those in power in the political realm, but his thoughts apply equally in other spheres like business and education. He said that “nobody whose integrity was questionable should be allowed to occupy any position of responsibility” (Manyathela, 2019).

It’s commonly accepted that when recommending someone for a position, a promotion, or for a governance or leadership role, those doing the choosing should attribute huge importance to the integrity of the candidate. Competence and experience count a great deal. But if integrity – moral soundness, the evident inclination of the candidate towards good – is missing, he or she cannot be considered.

US investment sage Warren Buffett said: “In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”

But how do you or I run a check on our own integrity or that of others? How does integrity ‘show’?

Yes, you or I could complete a mental compliance checklist: Have I paid my taxes? Am I blacklisted on any credit listings? Are all my licence payments up to date? Are all my travel expense claims 100% above board? Who have I lied to recently? What will my internet search records show?

But deeper than that, I suggest that we could ask questions like:

• Are my actions aligned with my professed values?
• Am I treating others as I would l like to be treated?
• To what extent am I considering the good of others (as well as myself) when I make decisions?

I’ve used some of the leadership principles listed by Dov Seidman in a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (Seidman, 2015) for an ethical leadership self-check. You can, too.

You could also use these when evaluating candidates for selection, promotion, or leadership roles:

1. How often, and how, do I / you stop and think? “In our fast-paced world . . .  (p)ausing creates an oasis of composure amid the chaos; it sharpens our awareness,” says Seidman. “With refined focus, we can connect our consciousness with our conscience. Active pausing is the heart of ethical decision-making, because it encourages reflection and lessens the likelihood of knee-jerk reactions.” I believe that stopping to think can help one recognise a toxic organisational culture and also ‘see’ how acting differently to the prevailing culture may be ethical.
2. How often am I / are you having two-way conversations? Listening, and holding two-way conversations with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders, is a way of learning all the nuances of a situation. This then enables you or I to weigh up what is ethical – for the good of ourselves and all other stakeholders.
3. What shows that I am / you are truly focused on doing the ‘next right thing’ rather than the ‘next thing right’? This one really speaks to me, a naturally task-oriented person. I like ticking boxes. Done. Done. Done. But, is what I am doing, building the best, most right, outcome?

References

Manyathela, C. 2019. Mogoeng: Those in power haven’t learnt from Nkandla judgment. [Online.] https://ewn.co.za/2019/05/16/mogoeng-those-currently-in-power-haven-t-learnt-from-nkandla-saga  Accessed 21 May 2019

Marshall Group Inc, The. 2019. 7 Principles of Ethical Leadership. [Online.] http://www.marshallgroup.com/7-principles-of-ethical-leadership  Accessed 29 April 2019

Quintal, G. 2019. David Mabuza may lose out on being SA’s deputy president. [Online.]  https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2019-05-22-david-mabuza-will-not-be-sworn-in-as-an-mp-on-wednesday   Accessed 22 May 2019

Seidman, D. 2015. Six key principles for ethical leadership. [Online.]

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/03/six-key-principles-for-ethical-leadership  Accessed 29 April 2019