The Moral Imperative

Effective leadership in the 21^st century will be defined by character, not competence.  The overriding characteristic will be morality.  Those who lead with a moral, ethical and legal imperative must dominate. 

You may feel that this is something of an apple pie comment.  But you only need to look at virtually every segment of our society to conclude that character is the principle element missing from leadership.  Whether it is business or politics; sports or religion; we are let down weekly by one leader or another.

The issue of morality…that is, the lack of morality…can be seen in almost all of the main issues that we are facing.  Take these for instance:

1.    Diversity and inclusiveness are moral issues.  We don’t need laws to know that all people need to be treated with respect and dignity.  These truths resonate in our collective spirit.  We KNOW when we have mistreated another because they were different from ourselves. 

2.    Sexual abuse is a moral issue.  No one should fear harm or reprisal because they turned down the sexual advances of another.  Nor should anyone fear harm or reprisal for reporting such behaviour.

3.    Climate change is a moral issue.  Companies should not require laws in order to stop polluting the environment.  Individuals should expect to be offered products and services that are carbon neutral, not because they need more choices but because they need to have options which contribute to a better society.

4.    Child labour and forced labour are moral issues.  Corporate conscience should dictate that hiding behind the lack of social policies in foreign countries is not the responsible way in which to provide goods for more economically advanced societies.

5.    Wealth disparity is a moral issue.  In a 2018 report, 26 individuals had more wealth than the bottom half of the world’s population, roughly 3.6 billion people. In the US, 10% of the population controls over 75% of the wealth and the disparities are only increasing. CEO compensation versus the average worker has grown exponentially.  Thirty years ago a typical CEO made 58 times more than the average worker.  Today that ratio is over 220 times more.

6.    Health care and education are moral issues.  An under privileged individual cannot ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps’.  They need a hand up not a hand out.

The list goes on but you get the message.  Leadership in this century will require a moral imperative. The issues that I have mentioned are not ones that will fix themselves.  In fact, over that past decades they have only become worse and more pervasive.  Left unaddressed, the disparities will have tragic consequences.

Your first response may be that the issues outlined are societal not corporate.  Therefore what have they to do with you?

But look again, because all of these issues require a corporate response.  That response must be internal to be certain.  But true leaders will recognize the need to speak out more broadly and publicly to demonstrate how they have addressed the points while encouraging others to respond likewise.

It must be both an individual and a collective effort. It’s a lot to ask, even more to expect. But unless and until we embrace this moral imperative we have no chance. 

If you are a leader, please lead! If you are not a leader, do you best to see that these are the types of individuals who are elected and/or appointed to positions of responsibility and authority.