The ambiguity of ethics makes it difficult to apply universal standards around the world. Often interchangeable with “morals,” both of these are values that can change because they are set by the societal norms in a culture, and even more specific, those norms within that set era. Therefore, they are always in flux and malleable, even though some of them seem like foundational expectations. 

However, in certain areas, such as leadership on a university level, ethics are seen as black and white rather than shades of gray. Some characteristics define this term, used to hold students, faculty, and staff to a higher ethical expectation. If you’re at the university level on a leadership path, your behaviors and actions must demonstrate ethical leadership at its highest capacity. For this to occur, you must understand what the definition is and reconcile it with your own personal expectations.

What is Ethical Leadership at a University Level?

We know why unethical behavior is dangerous. This type of activity becomes insidious, undermining the entire reputation of the institution, even if it’s performed by one person. When violations like plagiarism are allowed to run free, the credibility of the university is called into question. To prevent this, there must be policies in place to organize the expectations and rules for leaders to follow to ensure the behavior matches the expectations and builds, rather than demolishes, trust and reputation.

At the university level, leadership must be ethical in order for students, faculty, staff, and institutions in general to thrive. Leaders are in place in these organizations in order to encourage and role model a positive culture in which ethics are the foundation. When leaders are ethically sound, they help to establish a place in which the overall atmosphere is trustworthy and legitimate.

Students and faculty often will role model what they see, and when the leaders are ethical, those who look up to them are more likely to value the institution and their education. Ethical leaders help boost the morale of those around them, instilling positivity and encouraging a happy, successful atmosphere for all.

Common Traits of Ethical Leaders

When you’re given the designation of being a leader at a university, it’s not something to take lightly. Not everyone is capable of the work and behavior required to attain this role. All staff and faculty in an education institution must have ethics training and follow the guidelines, but leaders have the highest expectations placed upon them.

To be included in ethical leadership, these characteristics are almost always found in those in these positions:

• Role model behavior in which they set high expectations for themselves and those around them. They engage in activities that model the values of the institution and society and are willing to step in and help any time it is needed and they can offer it. They realize they are an example to others and make decisions that demonstrate their own integrity.
• Adaptability, in which they are willing to continue to learn, to admit to their own mistakes, and to accept and overcome challenges. Flexibility is essential in today’s uncertain world, and being able to adapt to changes, predict them when possible, and come up with solutions to get past barriers is essential, especially when in the leadership position.
• Equality of everything, demonstrating equal respect to everyone regardless of their position in the institution or organization. 
• Communication, in which leaders are open to receiving concerns and complaints and sharing information that is open with those who should hear it.
• Calm under pressure, since leaders are often tasked with dealing with stressful circumstances in which they must respond rather than react. Leaders must be able to make decisions based on ethics and handle stress in productive, positive manners.
• Able to diffuse situations as needed with fair mediation, solving problems with results that are seen as fair to everyone who was involved in the situation by evaluating all the options and coming up with impartial and ethical results.

Knowing the traits that encompass leadership at the highest level can help you become a university leader, one of the most important jobs on a global scale.

Lead the Way With Impactio

Being given the role of a university leader is a serious responsibility and one that you probably are not taking lightly. With the highest expectations placed upon you, your publications are going to be utilized more often, too. Scholars around the world turn to Impactio for their manuscript needs, and as a leader, you can’t go wrong when you use this resource, as well.

With Impactio, you have access to all the tools you need to put together your work, including a vast database of sources and citations. When your work has to reach the highest quality, Impactio helps you turn it into a professional PDF document or web page for maximum impact. You’ll have an impressive-looking submission that goes along with your ethical leadership and hard work.