She is a Career and Personal Development Coach with almost ten years of experience. Her expertise is in Job & workplace readiness, career planning, growth, and personal development. Her work focuses on helping individuals build their capacity for career progression, navigate job transitioning with ease and achieve personal effectiveness using results-oriented methods.
Leadership today is a different game. With the rise of technology and remote work, challenges are evolving, but one thing remains constant—integrity. As Michelle Obama says, “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” Ethical leadership is the cornerstone of that difference.
Lead by example
As a career and personal development coach, I’ve seen firsthand how actions speak louder than words. Leaders who say one thing and do another lose trust quickly. Oprah Winfrey captures it perfectly: “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.”
I once coached a client whose team lost faith in their manager due to a lack of transparency. I advised them to model the behavior they wanted to see—clear, consistent communication—even when they weren’t the ones in charge. This shift helped rebuild trust and improve team dynamics.
Create a culture of openness
People perform best when they feel heard. Viola Davis says, “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.” This highlights the importance of creating spaces where everyone, regardless of background or role, can contribute.
In my work with managers, I’ve seen the impact of open communication. Some unknowingly created environments where team members felt stifled. Once they understood the importance of making space for all voices, the entire team became more engaged, and ethical decision-making improved as a result.
Balance people and profits
We’ve all heard “business is business,” but that mindset won’t cut it in 2024. Michelle Obama once said, “You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” Ethical leadership puts people first, even when it seems risky.
In my experience, leaders who invest in their employees’ well-being—offering flexible hours, mental health support, or professional development—see long-term benefits. Teams become more loyal, turnover decreases, and productivity rises when people know they are valued.
Ethics in a digital world
Technology brings incredible innovations, but also new ethical dilemmas, like data privacy. As Oprah said, “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” We need to learn from past mistakes and prioritize transparency.
In a workshop I led, a discussion emerged about how companies handle data. One participant raised a critical point about how unclear data practices were. This conversation led to a shift in how the company communicated their digital policies, prioritizing ethical transparency moving forward.
If you read this far this article to create a reminder that Ethical leadership isn’t just a box to check—it’s a daily practice. Whether you lead a global company or a small team, how you act sets the tone. Michelle Obama, Viola Davis, and Oprah Winfrey remind us that integrity is the key to making an impact.
So, the next time you’re faced with a tough decision, ask yourself: Am I leading with integrity? Because how you lead shapes not only your future but the future of everyone who looks up to you.
Read more from Esther Aluko
Esther Aluko, Career & Personal Development Coach
She is a Career and Personal Development Coach with almost ten years of experience. Her expertise is in Job & workplace readiness, career planning, growth, and personal development. Her work focuses on helping individuals build their capacity for career progression, navigate job transitioning with ease and achieve personal effectiveness using results-oriented methods. Her speaking engagements span the United Kingdom, Belgium, West Africa, and Ireland with corporate organizations and higher education institutions.
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