Leading with Conscience: The Power of Ethical Leadership

Leadership challenges often emerge not through the quests for success but through the ethical quandaries that test our core values. Reflecting on a pivotal moment in my career, I recall wearing an "I Can't Breathe" shirt—a quiet yet potent symbol against racial injustice that sparked transformative dialogue within my then organization. In the aftermath of Eric Garner's tragic death, those words became a poignant reminder of the systemic issues we faced. Hastily donning that shirt to set up for a talent show, I was unprepared for the mixed looks of confusion and concern it would elicit. This seemingly small act catalyzed a series of events that compelled the organization to embrace its role in promoting ethical leadership, aligning with the teachings of revered figures like Jesus, Gandhi, Confucius, and Amílcar Cabral. It underscored the significant influence that principled leadership can wield, even when it begins with an unintended gesture.

Service in Leadership: Lessons from Jesus and Gandhi

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant," Jesus taught (Mark 10:43), underlining the core of servant leadership. Reflecting on this, I recall a profound encounter with Ken Blanchard , a pioneer in servant leadership, at one of his holiday gatherings in San Diego. Ken shared a moment of insight, emphasizing the significance of my role at TTC College , remarking on the weight of my responsibilities and the challenges ahead. He affirmed that the path would be tough, but the impact of serving those in need was immeasurable. In my various roles, I strive to be a servant to our students, our teams, our organization, and the broader California community, where our efforts are reshaping behavioral health care every day.

Similarly, Gandhi championed 'Seva' or selfless service, proclaiming, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." My lifelong quest has been to discover the truest version of myself—embracing Seva as a transformative force in our society. This commitment to serving others transcends the ego and the allure of self-centered leadership that often ensnares as we ascend the corporate ladder. This principle of selfless leadership is echoed by Pulitzer Prize winning philosopher Kendrick Lamar, who asserts, "If I'm gonna lead, I'ma lead by example," championing the idea that true leadership is a personal endeavor to embody the values one preaches. This authenticity is what sets Kendrick apart, even amidst high-profile "beef" disputes with peers like Drake (smh)—his focus remains on impactful, philosophical contributions that transcend mere entertainment.

Integrity and Cultural Respect: Insights from Confucius and Amílcar Cabral

Confucius stressed the importance of ethical leadership in his Analects, promoting virtue and propriety as foundations for societal harmony. Amílcar Cabral, known for his profound insights on integrity and culture, stated, 'Culture is simultaneously the fruit of a people’s history and a determinant of history.' He urged leaders to respect and uplift the cultural identities within their communities as a cornerstone of ethical leadership. This sentiment resonated deeply when I chose to wear the 'I Can't Breathe' shirt, highlighting the role of leaders in acknowledging and addressing cultural and ethical challenges within their teams. I think subconsciously I wanted to model that what our employees face outside of work has real-life implications on the impact of our service organizations, the quality of the products we develop, and, interestingly enough, the bottom line dollar in our companies. A failure to address real-life issues in 2024 will potentially bankrupt companies and organizations either through lawsuits or the price of public backlash. Just look at 富国银行 , which faced severe financial penalties and a damaged reputation after the scandal involving the creation of millions of unauthorized accounts. We must maintain and promote total integrity and transparency as ethical leaders to build the trust and culture of our workplaces to actualize what our missions, visions, and value statements claim.

My Experience: A Moment of Solidarity and Change

The moment I chose to wear the "I Can't Breathe" shirt to work, it sparked a pivotal conversation with a high-ranking leader whose father was a police officer. She asked that I not wear the shirt out of respect that it made her feel uncomfortable. While I hold deep admiration and affection for her still today, that interaction forced me to confront the painful realization that our community's struggles were often dismissed by those in power who felt that the workplace wasn't a venue for social discourse—even though our mission was rooted in addressing societal issues. This confrontation was a wake-up call for our organization to examine its inherent biases and the varied realities of our diverse staff.

The ripple effect was immediate and powerful: the following day, dozens of colleagues (unbeknownst to me) donned the same shirt, a sea of solidarity that moved me to tears as I stepped onto campus. This collective act transformed our workplace, unfolding years of open dialogues about race, prejudice, bias, justice, and community support, and epitomizing the transformative power of ethical leadership.

The pluralistic impact of leaders ignoring such ethical challenges—manifested in mismanagement of public funds, unfair hiring practices, blindness to critical societal issues, undisclosed salaries, and rampant nepotism—can suffocate trust and morale within an organization. Conversely, addressing these issues head-on can ignite sweeping, positive changes at every level, demonstrating the true power of a united, ethical workforce.

Note: I’m proud to say today that the organization is now an industry leader in setting a tone of social impact under the phenomenal leadership of a community hero in healthcare.

Practical Steps for Ethical Leadership

• Encourage Reflective Practices: Allocate regular time for your team to reflect on their actions and the broader impact on society. I do this in team meetings and individual supervision meetings, where I allow for reflection and sharing of perspectives about how community issues impact our work.
• Promote Honest Discussions: Foster environments where employees can safely discuss ethical challenges and collaborate on solutions. This solution-based ethical leadership mindset is infectious and allows for greater solidarity in achieving our mission.
• Model Ethical Behavior: Show through your actions that integrity and respect are paramount, influencing every interaction and decision. I will speak for the voiceless in all workspaces, and mentor others to do so as well. When we model ethical leadership, it becomes the norm in our workplaces. We abandon self-serving interests for actualization of our missions for community impact.

The influence of our ethical decisions can manifest immediately, as seen with the wave of solidarity across our organization, or gradually instigate broader organizational transformations. As we endeavor to lead with integrity, let us draw inspiration from these historical figures, ensuring our actions consistently reflect our deepest values.

This journey of ethical leadership is about ensuring that every leadership decision, no matter how seemingly minor, contributes to a legacy of integrity and respect. Afterall, how we treat people at work reflects how we feel about ourselves—and our leadership has the power to lift or enslave the employees who have dedicated their lives to serve our collective missions.

Make sure history remembers your leadership well.

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Remember, the future isn't just coming. It's most definitely here already, and it’s golden!

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Be Healed.

Dr. Golden