Overview of Ethical Leadership

The idea of ethical government is not new to the 21st century. Mark Twain put it into words quite succinctly: "Always do what is right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

Perhaps even more relevant is the original oath of the 4th century Athenian City State:

We will never bring disgrace to this our city
by any act of cowardice . . .
We will ever strive for the ideals and sacred things
of the city, both alone and with the many;
We will ever revere and obey the city's laws
And do our best to incite a like respect and reverence . . .
We will unceasingly seek to quicken the sense
of public duty;
That thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this city
Not only not less, but greater, better and more beautiful
Than it was transmitted to us.

Ethical Leadership in a Political Environment
                                                            (Or "Why should we have a Code of Conduct?")

For several millenia, men, and more recently, women, have sought to incorporate that elusive concept into their workplace, far too often at their career peril. In the political arena, ethical standards receive universal approval in principle, somewhat less application in legislation, and very little support when the charge of unethical behaviour is laid at someone's feet. Our goal at Gordon Ryan Consulting is to foster local government and community association actions that will rise above the legal standard, bringing a higher sense of responsibility to our jobs as elected and appointed officials.

With a quarter century of experience in local government and HOA's, Gordon Ryan Consulting has recognized the need to inculcate the highest ethical principles into the policy established by our elected officials, and also into the consciousness of the management team in their performance of daily interaction with residents. In a world where people often do only what they legally must, it is refreshing, especially within a government body, to find elected members and staff who will do what they morally should. At Gordon Ryan Consulting, our training concept is offered in support of this premise in an effort to bring elected members and appointed staff together in their desire to promote these high ideals. Issues include:

Why all this talk about ethical leadership?
Ethical Leadership? or Popular Leadership?
Can ethical leadership be truly effective?
Codes of Conduct, value systems, and personal interest?
Public Trust & Transparent Governance
Ethics, Honesty, & Integrity?
                          Or Liar, Cheat & Scoundrel?
Roadblocks to ethical decisions
Courageous and responsible leadership
Developing an organizational culture based on ethics
Making Tough Ethical Choices

If men were angels, there would be no need for government.

Doing good is more important!

Doing well in life is important.

In a world where standards are often determined by the lowest common denominator, elevating your sights from doing what is legal, to doing what is ethical, and then looking even higher to what is moral, is not a task to be undertaken by the faint-hearted.
                                      Gordon Ryan
                Seminar presentation to the Christchurch City Council, New Zealand